adminWELCOME to our world India!
Of course, you are here for the cricket but, now, the love of the gentlemen’s game isn’t the only thing we share in common.
You have just joined us in being suspended from world football by FIFA.
“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 world football governing body announced on Tuesday.
“The suspension will be lifted once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.
“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.
“FIFA is in constant constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India and is hopeful that a positive outcome to the case may still be achieved.”
In February, we also received the same cocktail of sanctions when FIFA suspended our membership, together with that of Kenya.
And, as you might also know, Pakistan, India’s biggest rivals in cricket, are also part of the group of the suspended FIFA members.
However, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) has expressed its surprise and disappointment at the recent turn of events.
The CoA was surprised that the FIFA decision came when extensive discussions were going on for the past few days between all stakeholders, including FIFA-AFC, AIFF, CoA, and the Sports Ministry as per the Order of the Supreme Court.
While the CoA was committed to implementing the Supreme Court’s Order regarding the elections of the AIFF, passed on August 3, 2022, it was also in constant dialogue with all stakeholders.
CoA chairman Justice Anil Dave said, “It is unfortunate to see such a directive by FIFA during a time when all efforts were being made to put Indian Football back on the right track.
“That being said, we are constantly in talks with all the stakeholders, including FIFA, to find the correct solution to this situation, and get the ball rolling once again.
“It is really deplorable that for almost the last two years, the body, whose term had already been completed, had continued in an absolutely undemocratic and illegal manner, no action was taken.
“But when the Hon’ble Supreme Court passed an order to set things right so as to see that a democratically elected body takes charge, and when the CoA and the Sports Ministry were doing their best for the implementation of the Order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the order of the suspension was passed by FIFA.”
CoA member SY Qureshi stated, “The recent suspension of the FIFA comes as a surprise to us all, especially since we had already found mutually accepted terms. Besides, democratic elections to elect a General Body were already on the way. However, we are hopeful that all problems will be solved to restore normalcy at the earliest” – Sports Reporter/news18.com.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter