FIFA suspends All-India Football Federation

The Bureau of FIFA Council has decided to suspend the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) due to ‘undue interference of third parties’ in its operations. The third party influences are considered to be in serious violation of FIFA’s Statutes.

The suspension will be lifted once an order to establish a committee of administrators has been repealed allowing the AIFF administration to regain full control over the organization’s operations.

The AIFF is in a state of disarray due to the actions of its former president, Praful Patel, who was able to stay in office beyond the maximum term of 12 years without new elections.

“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 statement said.

Internal governance issues are at the root of India’s current sport landscape. Last month the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sent a stern warning to the Indian Olympic Association - hold elections or face suspension. FIFA has now taken action ahead of the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

“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once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.”

Fatma Samoura, the secretary general of FIFA, added that: “The AIFF representative and club teams are therefore no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.

The suspension may prevent the 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup from being held in India as scheduled. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 11-30, 2022.

“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.

“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.”

In response to the suspension, the the Committee of Administrators (CoA) in charge of running the AIFF, released a statement expressing surprise and disappointment at the FIFA decision.

“It is unfortunate to see such a directive by FIFA during a time when all efforts were being made to put Indian Football back on the right track,” CoA chairman Justice (retd.) Anil Dave said. “That being said, we are constantly in talks with all the stakeholders, including FIFA, to find the correct solution to this situation, and get the ball rolling once again.

“It is really deplorable that for almost [the] last two years, the body, whose term had already been completed, had continued in an absolutely undemocratic and illegal manner, no action was taken. But when the Hon’ble Supreme Court passed an order to set things right so as to see that a democratically elected body takes charge, and when the CoA and the Sports Ministry were doing their best for the implementation of the Order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the order of the suspension was passed by FIFA.”

FIFA is currently assessing the situation and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, is in regular contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India and has stated that he is hopeful a positive outcome can still be achieved.