Highlight
- World governing body FIFA on Tuesday suspended India.
- According to FIFA, India were suspended for “undue influence of a third party”.
- This is the first time that FIFA has banned the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
India was on Tuesday suspended by world governing body FIFA for “undue influence from third parties” and stripped of the right to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in October. This is the first time that FIFA has banned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in its 85-year history.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect for undue influence of third parties, which is a serious violation of the FIFA Rules,” FIFA said in a statement.
“Once the order to constitute a Committee of Administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee is revoked, the suspension will be lifted and the AIFF Administration will regain full control over the day-to-day affairs of the AIFF.” On May 18, the Supreme Court had removed Praful Patel from the post of AIFF president for not holding elections in December 2020 and a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) headed by former apex court judge AR Dave to manage the affairs. was appointed. AIFF. The CoA also had to make its constitution in line with the National Sports Code and model guidelines.
FIFA, however, is not closing all options for India as it said it is in talks with the spot ministry and is expecting a positive outcome for the women’s age-group showpiece event. “The suspension means that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, which is scheduled to take place in India from 11-30 October 2022, cannot be held as currently planned in India. The next steps regarding the FIFA tournament are Is assessing and shall refer the matter to the Council’s Bureau if necessary.” FIFA is in constant constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India and hopes that a positive outcome of the matter can still be achieved. “
On 5 August, days after the Supreme Court’s directive to hold national federation elections, FIFA threatened to suspend the AIFF and take away its right to host the Women’s Under-17 World Cup. The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the executive committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to conduct elections as per the schedule proposed by the Committee of Administrators (CoA), which currently runs the affairs of the national federation.
The elections are scheduled to be held on August 28 and the election process began on August 13 after the apex court approved the deadline framed by the CoA.