FIFA bans India for third party influence; Women's U17 World Cup not to be held in India

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FIFA bans India for third party influence; Women's U17 World Cup not to be held in India
FIFA suspends All India Football Federation due to third party influenceBCCL
  • This is the first time the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been banned by FIFA in its 85 year history.
  • FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in India on 11-30 October 2022 stands canceled.
  • Following the ban, the fate of the AIFF elections, to be held on August 28 is uncertain.
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World football governing body FIFA on Tuesday suspended India for "undue influence from third parties" and said the U-17 Women's World Cup "cannot currently be held in India as planned."

The country is scheduled to host the FIFA tournament from October 11-30.

This is the first time the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been banned by FIFA in its 85 year history.

"The Bureau of the FIFA Council has unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect due to undue influence from third parties, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes," the FIFA said in a statement.

The Bureau of the FIFA Council said the lifting of the suspension will be subject to repealing of the Committee of Administrators' (CoA) mandate in full. In a statement, the FIFA also said it wants the AIFF administration to "be fully in charge of the AIFF's daily affairs".

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"The suspension means that the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in India on 11-30 October 2022, cannot currently be held in India as planned. FIFA is assessing the next steps with regard to the tournament and will refer the matter to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary.

A ban on India has been on the cards since the Supreme Court removed Praful Patel as AIFF president on May 18 for not holding elections, due in December 2020.

The court had appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA), headed by former apex court judge AR Dave, to manage the affairs of the national federation.

The CoA, which has former Chief Commissioner of India SY Quraishi and ex India captain Bhaskar Ganguly as other members, also had to frame its constitution in line with the National Sports Code and model guidelines.

The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided that upon lifting of the suspension, the AIFF constitution will have to be revised in accordance with the requirements of the FIFA and the AFC and to be approved by the AIFF general assembly without interference from any third party.

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The FIFA, "concurrently", wants an "independent electoral committee to be elected by the AIFF general assembly to run the elections of a new executive committee".

As per the FIFA move, AIFF will lose all membership rights until further notice.

"This also means neither the AIFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any development programmes, courses or training from FIFA and/or the AFC," the world body said in its detailed statement.

Following the ban, the fate of the AIFF elections, to be held on August 28 on the orders of the Supreme is not yet known.

The poll process began on August 13 as the top court approved the time-line prepared by the Committee of Administrators (CoA).

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The CoA has already appointed returning officers and has published the electoral college for the elections, including 36 eminent players in the list. The filing of nominations is to start from Wednesday till Friday.

The Supreme Court on August 3 directed the executive committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to expeditiously hold elections as per the schedule proposed by the CoA.

India's football fraternity is hoping that a last-minute solution will salvage the FIFA under-17 women's world cup when the Supreme Court hears the matter on Wednesday.
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