INDIA: FIFA announced on Monday that it had suspended the All India Football Federation (AIFF) immediately as a result of “undue interference from third parties.”
The Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which was slated to take place in India from October 11–30, would likewise be unable to take place as planned due to the ban.
The AIFF was dissolved by the Supreme Court of India in May, and a three-member committee was created to oversee the sport, modify the AIFF’s charter, and hold elections that had been postponed for 18 months.
In response, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation sent a team headed by AFC general secretary Windsor John to meet with Indian football stakeholders.
The delegation laid out a schedule for the AIFF to amend its statutes by the end of July and then complete elections at the latest by September 15.
“The suspension will be lifted once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs,” the organization said in Monday’s statement.
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 hopeful that a favourable outcome to the issue may still be achieved and is in constant and constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India,” the organization noted.
FIFA’s regulations state 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 this.
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