After multiple warnings, FIFA has decided to suspend India's national soccer federation, the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the body announced in an official statement late on Monday night. The decision comes 'due to undue influence from third parties,' according to the official statement.
"The Bureau of the FIFA Council has unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect due to undue influence from third parties, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes. 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once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs," the official statement read.
The suspension of the All India Football Federation threatens the country's hosting of the Under-17 Women's World Cup scheduled for Oct. 11-30. "The suspension means that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in India on 11-30 October 2022, cannot currently be held in India as planned. FIFA is assessing the next steps with regard to the tournament and will refer the matter to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary," said the former
"FIFA is in constant constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India and is hopeful that a positive outcome to the case may still be achieved," the statement added.
Earlier, The Committee of Administrators (CoA) that was formed by the Supreme Court was given till July 31 to finalise the new constitution or risk facing an international ban. This news came after a seven-member FIFA and AFC joint delegation met with the Supreme Court-appointed CoA and state football associations in July 2022.
In addition to this, the AIFF's Special General Body Meeting must be called by August 5, and the elections for the new president must be held by September 15 in order to prevent any chances of suspending India from world football.
In May, the supreme court ruled that former president Praful Patel was to step down as the AIFF after overstaying his tenure, and appointed the CoA, which comprised ex-Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, former Supreme Court judge Anil Dave, and former India captain Bhaskar Ganguly. The CoA's main job was to run the day-to-day affairs of the AIFF after India's apex football body found them in violation of the Sports Code.
This was a violation of their statutes as FIFA has a strict policy against outside party interference, but chose to dispatch a delegation to the country instead of imposing an immediate ban, they decided to check the situation by themselves.
