FIFA lifts AIFF suspension: Timeline of ban shock to relief

Here is the timeline of events from FIFA’s suspension of AIFF due to undue third-party influence to the world football’s governing body’s decision to lift the suspension.

FILE PHOTO: FIFA on Friday decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue third-party influence.

FIFA on Friday decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue third-party influence.

Timeline of events:

May 18, 2022 - The Supreme Court of India relieves Praful Patel and his executive committee from their responsibilities and appoints a Committee of Administrators (CoA) to oversee the functioning of the AIFF – one that is also responsible to draft the constitution for the same body.

May 29, 2022 - CoA member, Dr S. Y. Qureshi, says a new AIFF constitution will be in place by the end of September.

June 11, 2022 - The CoA and members of some affiliated units meet to discuss the way forward on holding elections.

June 21, 2022 - After first round of talks between the visiting FIFA-AFC team and the CoA , a 12-member advisory committee to oversee the day-to-day matters of various departments of the AIFF is formed.

June 23, 2022 - FIFA leaves with an assurance of completing the new constitution by July 31 and the election process by the end of September.

July 6, 2022 - CoA meets the seven-member committee, representing State Associations of the AIFF to discuss various aspects of the draft constitution.

July 16, 2022 - The final draft constitution is submitted to the Supreme Court for its approval.

July 18, 2022 - The state units of the AIFF express unhappiness with several provisions in the final draft constitution.

July 21, 2022 - Supreme Court hears pleas from the CoA for AIFF and State Associations on differences in the proposed constitution.

July 26, 2022 - FIFA recommends AIFF to have 25 per cent eminent player representation in its Executive Committee as co-opted members instead of the 50 per cent stipulated in the draft constitution by CoA.

July 28, 2022 - The Supreme Court of India postpones the hearing on AIFF elections to August 3.

August 3, 2022 - Supreme Court passes an interim order asking the AIFF to hold and conclude elections for its executive committee; says election results would be declared on August 28/29. SC directs the holding of elections by forming an Electoral College made up of 36 representatives of state football associations and 36 eminent former football players.

August 6, 2022 - FIFA threatens to suspend the AIFF and strip off its rights to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in October due to a third-party “influence.”

August 7, 2022 - The CoA reassures FIFA after the threat that it is on course to set the AIFF in order.

August 13, 2022 - Veteran administrators Subrata Dutta and Larsing Ming’s nominations ahead of the AIFF’s elections are rejected by the poll’s returning officer, Umesh Sinha.

August 15, 2022 - FIFA conveys its opposition to individual members’ inclusion in the electoral college to the Indian sports ministry.

August 16, 2022 - FIFA officially suspends AIFF, meaning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022, cannot currently be held in the country as planned.

August 21, 2022 - The Central Government moves application in Supreme Court, agrees to end CoA mandate.

August 24, 2022 - The Supreme Court hands back day-to-day management to AIFF’s administration.

August 26, 2022 - FIFA lifts AIFF suspension, allows India to host U-17 Women’s World Cup.