FIFA lift Indian football federation suspension, to still host World Cup

FIFA’s decision

The situation of the AIFF was submitted to the attention of the Bureau of the FIFA Council. In this regard, the Bureau was informed of the Supreme Court hearing held on August 22, 2022, by means of which it was decided that the mandate of the CoA (committee of administrators) “stands terminated”; and the day-to-day management of AIFF shall be exclusively looked after by the AIFF administration led by the Acting General Secretary.

Under these circumstances, the Bureau of the Council on August 25, 2022, decided to lift the suspension of the AIFF with immediate effect. Further, it said that FIFA will follow up communication with AIFF concerning the next steps to be taken towards holding elections. It also mentioned that FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will continue to monitor the situation and will support AIFF in

organizing the elections promptly.

Backdrop

On August 14, 2022, FIFA suspended AIFF for a “serious violation of FIFA rules.” Trouble began for AIFF when former chief Praful Patel stayed in office beyond his term with the Supreme Court of India ruling it invalid. The apex court had placed the AIFF under the aegis of a Committee of Administrators (CoA) it had selected in May 2022.

The decision to suspend the AIFF came even as the Supreme Court of India directed that the election of the executive committee of the Indian football governing body be held expeditiously. This was due to the delays in the actions ruled by the Supreme Court and non-compliance to international standards.

In a statement, FIFA termed it a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes. It said 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once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.

Following the ban, the Supreme Court of India on August 22 dissolved the Committee of Administrators that it had appointed earlier this year to oversee the operations of the All India Football Federation. The top court directed the AIFF’s day-to-day management to be taken over by acting general secretary Sunando Dhar.

The AIFF election is scheduled for August 28, however, the Supreme Court had said that it can be deferred by a week to facilitate a change in the electoral college.