FIFA bans All India Football Federation

 

FIFA bans All India Football Federation: U17 World Cup being organized by India this year has been canceled

Indian national teams will not be allowed to play during the ban.

FIFA banned the Indian Football Federation on 15 August with "immediate effect due to undue influence of a third party", jeopardizing the country's staging of the Under-17 Women's World Cup in October.

World football's governing body called the breach a "serious breach of FIFA law".

Indian national teams cannot play any junior or senior international games in either of the two genders during the ban. Indian clubs will not be allowed to participate in the AFC Women's Club Championship, AFC Cup and AFC Champions League competitions.

The body also said that this ban/suspension would be lifted after the AIFF administration ordered the constitution of a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF executive committee and take full control over the day-to-day affairs of the AIFF.

"The suspension means that the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022, which is scheduled to be held in India from 11-30 October 2022, cannot be held as planned in India at present," the release added.

The AIFF landed in trouble after former chief Praful Patel held the post beyond the term of the Supreme Court of India, which had declared it invalid. The SC had placed the AIFF under the aegis of a Committee of Administrators (CoA) which it had selected in May 2022.

The decision to suspend the AIFF came after the Supreme Court of India directed that the executive committee of the Indian football governing body be expeditiously elected after it was dismissed by the Committee of Administrators seeking contempt action against the former AIFF. Heard the petition filed. President Praful Patel and others earlier this month alleged his interference.

The Court had taken cognizance of the fact on 21 July 2022 that the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup is about to begin and India has to host the World Cup. In addition, FIFA indicated to the COA that the tournament should be inaugurated under a democratically elected AFIF.

FIFA is also assessing the next steps regarding the tournament and will refer the matter to the Council's Bureau, if necessary.