HIGHLIGHTS
- Indian football’s governing body is suspended by FIFA.
- Because Praful Patel, the organization’s former leader, served above the term limit, AIFF is in a mess.
- The U17 Women’s World Cup was supposed to be played in India from October 11 to October 30.
- What about India Football Leagues?
What has happened? The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been suspended by FIFA with immediate effect. “The Bureau of the FIFA Council voted unanimously to take this move after establishing that there was undue influence from third parties in AIFF, which is a violation of its statutes,” FIFA stated in a statement.
In addition, FIFA said that the ban would be lifted “after an order to establish a Committee of Administrators (CoA) to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been rescinded and the AIFF administration regains complete control of the AIFF’s daily business.”
Following the happenings, a FIFA and AFC mission also travelled to the nation to assess the situation. AIFF was nonetheless prohibited by the world football governing body.
FIFA has added that they are working to establish a compromise with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) of India.
On July 27, India’s official hosting of the U17 Women’s World Cup was announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Supreme Court of India recently ordered a Committee of Administrators (CoA) to take over the management of the Indian FA after long-serving AIFF President Praful Patel resigned from his position in May.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
India will host the U17 Women’s World Cup from October 11 to October 30, 2022. However, India will forfeit its hosting rights if the ban is not repealed.
FIFA has said that it is evaluating the next steps to moving the competition and will make a decision on the topic later. There is still hope that the World Cup can still be hosted in India as scheduled if the ban is quickly lifted.
Additionally, as long as the ban is in effect, India’s national teams are not permitted to participate in any FIFA or AFC-recognized competitions. During the embargo, Indian clubs are also not permitted to represent their nation in continental competitions.
WHAT HAPPENS TO ISL & I-LEAGUE
Despite FIFA’s ban, the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League will continue to be run as usual. Since domestic club football is unaffected by the FIFA suspension on the AIFF, both leagues will operate as scheduled.
However, Indian clubs are not permitted to participate in competitions like the AFC Champions League or AFC Cup as long as the ban is in effect.
