FIFA lifts suspension on AIFF , India to host U17 Women’s World Cup as scheduled
The world football governing body International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), on August 26, decided to lift the ban imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) after the Supreme Court terminated the mandate of the Committee of Administrators (CoA).
FIFA had banned the AIFF on August 15 for “undue interference by a third party” and had said that the U-17 Women’s World Cup “cannot currently be held in India as planned.” The ban that was the first in AIFF’s 85-year-long history was lifted after FIFA received confirmation that the three-member CoA committee, which was formed in May this year, has been dissolved and the AIFF administration had regained full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue third-party influence,” FIFA said in a statement.
The lift in suspension has meant that India remains the host of the Women’s U-17 World Cup scheduled to be played in October. “As a consequence, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 will be held in India as planned,” the statement added.
Furthermore, FIFA stated that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will continue to scrutinize the situation and would also support the AIFF in completing its elections in a timely manner.
AIFF acting general secretary Sunando Dhar, on August 23, had requested the FIFA secretary general, Fatma Samoura, to “reconsider their decision of suspending the AIFF”. After the ban was removed, Dhar welcomed the move and acknowledged FIFA, AFC, and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur for their roles in lifting the ban.
“The darkest hour of Indian Football is finally over. The suspension that was slapped on midnight of August 15 on the AIFF, has been lifted by FIFA. We sincerely thank FIFA and AFC, especially the AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John for guiding us in such difficult times. We also take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Hon’ble Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur ji for solidly standing by us at this crucial juncture,” Dhar said.
The AIFF is scheduled to host their elections on September 2. It is expected to be a two-fold battle between Bhaichung Bhutia and former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey for the next president’s role.
