FIFA bans AIFF: Five things Indian football body needs to do for suspension to be overturned

The suspension means the women's Under-17's World Cup, set to begin in India on October 11, will not take place as planned.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) was suspended by FIFA on Monday night because of “undue influence from third parties”. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

All India Football Federation (AIFF) was suspended by FIFA on Monday night because of "undue influence from third parties".

The suspension means the women's Under-17 World Cup, set to begin in India on October 11, will not take place as planned. The Supreme Court had disbanded the AIFF in May and appointed a three-member committee to govern the sport.

FIFA's member federations must be free from legal and political interference.

The Bureau of the FIFA council has decided that the lifting of the suspension be subject to the following conditions being satisfied:

Repeal of the CoA mandate in full

The AIFF administration to be fully in charge of the AIFF’s daily affairs

The AIFF constitution to be revised in accordance with the requirements of FIFA and the AFC and to be approved by the AIFF general assembly without interference from any third party

An independent electoral committee to be elected by the AIFF general assembly to run the elections of a new executive committee

The AIFF to carry out the upcoming electoral process as per the statutory requirement and to hold its elections based on the pre-existing membership structure of AIFF (i.e. state associations only)

What is this third party interference FIFA has noted?

Simply put, FIFA sees the court-appointed committee of administrators having a say in the running of Indian football as third party interference.

FIFA says it’s “not a prudent idea” to have equal number of eminent players alongside the state association representatives in the electoral college. The draft constitution submitted by the CoA to the Supreme Court states the electoral college will have representatives from 36 state associations and 36 eminent football players from all over India — 24 male and 12 female. The world body is okay with the executive committee having 25 per cent former players as Co-opted members. \

Incidentally, Wednesday is the last date to file nominations for the AIFF president’s post. Also, there will be a Supreme Court hearing in the ongoing matter on Wednesday.

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia reacts to FIFA banning AIFF@bhaichung15 I #AIFF I #FIFApic.twitter.com/WvoCo9OMRn

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) August 16, 2022