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Days after FIFA imposed a ban on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for 'undue influence from third parties', neighbouring country and bitter rivals Pakistan have shared a heartfelt post on Twitter in support of Indian Football.
FIFA announced a ban for the AIFF on Tuesday, August 16, after the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) were unable to meet FIFA's deadlines, which has also led to the hosting rights of the U-17 Women's World Cup, scheduled to take place in India, being stripped away.
This is the first time the AIFF has been banned by FIFA in its 85-year existence, with the Bureau of the FIFA Council saying there have been 'flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes'.
In their special post for Indian football, the PFF said, “Football has the power to unite and inspire! The Pakistan Football Federation hopes that Indian Football Team will be back very soon and will continue to electrify us in the coming years!”
Pakistan have themselves been banned by FIFA on a couple of occasions. They also shared a picture that read, “Commiserations to the Indian football federation and all Indian football fans. It hurts to not be able to watch your team play. Indian football has always been defiant and resilient. Here's hoping that Indian football comes out of suspension and continues to excite us in the coming years.”
The CoA have expressed their surprise at this development, insisting that the decision came despite 'extensive discussions” between all stakeholders including FIFA, AFC (Asian Football Confederation), AIFF, CoA, and the Sports Ministry.
On Wednesday, August 19, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to take a 'pro-active' role in getting the FIFA's suspension of the AIFF lifted and facilitating the holding of the U-17 Women's World Cup in India. The order was given by the apex court even as the Centre submitted that all efforts are being made to "break some ice" to organise the U-17 global tournament in India as scheduled in October this year.
