Due to “undue influence from third parties,” FIFA has immediately suspended the All India Football Federation (AIFF), according to a statement released on Monday.
All India Football Federation has been suspended by FIFA for “third party influence
The Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which was slated to be hosted in India from October 11–30, would also not be able to take place as planned due to the ban.
A three-person committee was established by the Supreme Court of India to oversee the sport, alter the AIFF’s constitution, and hold elections that had been postponed for 18 months. The AIFF had been in existence for 18 months until it was abolished in May.
The Asian Football Confederation and FIFA responded by sending a mission to speak with Indian football stakeholders. The visit was led by AFC general secretary Windsor John. By the end of July, the AIFF must revise its bylaws, and elections must be concluded at the latest by September 15. The delegation set out a plan for this.
FIFA released a statement on Monday that said, “The suspension will be removed once an order to establish a committee of administrators to assume the authority of the AIFF Executive Committee has been annulled and the AIFF administration regains complete control of the AIFF’s daily business.
The Indian court ruled earlier this month that elections must be held right away and that the chosen committee will serve as an interim body for three months.
Elections for the AIFF, which was formerly governed by FIFA Council member Praful Patel, were scheduled for December 2020 but were postponed because of disagreements over constitutional changes.
“FIFA is confident that a favourable resolution to the issue may still be achieved and is in regular and constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India,” the organisation noted.
FIFA’s bylaws provide that member federations must be free from governmental and political intervention in their home nations. Other national associations have already been suspended by FIFA due to incidents like these.