FIFA Lifts AIFF Ban, India to host U-17 World Cup

The ban imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) by FIFA for “undue third-party influence” was removed on Friday. The latest development means that India can host the U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 in October as scheduled.

The lifting of the ban also means that the Under-17 women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in India from October 11 to 30, will be held in the country as planned.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 will be held in India

India’s highest court had disbanded the AIFF in May and appointed a Committee of Administrators (CoA) to govern the sport, amend the AIFF’s constitution and conduct elections that have been pending for 18 months, leading to FIFA’s suspension.

The governing body said that they took the decision after receiving confirmation that the mandate of the committee of administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated and that 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,” a release said. “The decision (to lift the ban) was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the Committee of Administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated,” FIFA said in a statement. “FIFA and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) will continue to monitor the situation and will support the AIFF in organising its elections in a timely manner.” — Reuters

The whole controversy that started in Indian football stopped with Praful Patel, who was the President of AIFF. He was accused of sitting on the chair of the presidency even after the completion of the time without holding the election. Praful’s tenure started from the year 2009 and ended in 2020. Despite this, however, he continued to sit on the chair.

After the Supreme Court ousted Patel as the president of AIFF, the three-member CoA had been running the affairs of Indian football. It’s headed by former Supreme Court judge A R Dave. The other two members of the CoA are former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi and former Indian captain Bhaskar Ganguly.

Meanwhile, the AIFF elections will be held on September 2. It was first scheduled for August 28. FIFA and the AFC have indicated they would keep an eye on developments and help the AIFF hold its elections on schedule. India is scheduled to host its first FIFA event from October 11-30. Further, Indian teams, both men and women can participate in the continental competitions like the Asian Football Championships.