According to a declaration by world soccer’s governing body, FIFA has suspended the All-India Football Federation (AIFF), the Indian football association, with immediate effect due to “undue impact from third parties.”
In recent times, FIFA cautioned India’s football association about a ban. It could also be stripped of its right to host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in October. This would be due to “deviations” from a previously decided roadmap designed to discuss the governance issues.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to suspend the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) with instantaneous effect due to unnecessary impact from third parties, which results in a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes,” a FIFA statement said Tuesday.
The Bureau said the suspension will be picked up “once an order to set up a committee of commissioners to take up the controls of the AIFF Executive Committee has been cancelled and the AIFF administration recuperates full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.”
FIFA declared that India won’t host the U-17 Women’s World Cup this year in October. And the reason is the delayed elections of AIFF.
The elections of the AIFF were to be held by December 2020. However, they were delayed due to a standoff in finalizing its constitution.
India’s Supreme Court dispersed the AIFF in May and selected a three-member committee to govern the sport, amend the AIFF’s constitution, and conduct elections that have been pending for 18 months.
According to FIFA laws, members must accomplish their affairs self-sufficiently and guarantee that their own affairs are not “influenced by third parties.”
The Supreme Court recently ordered to accomplish the elections of the executive committee of the AIFF on Aug. 28.
The suspension indicates that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, which was scheduled to take place in India from 11-30th October 2022, is not going to be held in India as planned.
FIFA is evaluating the forthcoming steps concerning the tournament and will raise the concern to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary.
The world body is still in discussion with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India. It is hopeful of achieving a positive outcome in the case.