Supreme Court directs Central Government to lift suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Central Government to take “proactive steps” with the FIFA to ensure that India can get to host the Under 17 women’s world cup and that the suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is lifted.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday has asked the Central government to take proactive steps to ensure that the suspension of All India Football Federation (AIFF) by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is lifted and India can get to host the Under 17 women’s world cup in the country as scheduled.

After the bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud was informed that the Central government is attempting to break the ice with FIFA, it passed the order.

The order said that “Solicitor General has informed the court that Government of India is in active engagement with FIFA and stakeholders to ensure Under-17 World Cup in the country as planned. Meeting happened yesterday and discussions are ongoing.

We request the Centre to take proactive measures to ensure holding of Under-17 world cup and lift the suspension on AIFF so the objective is duly achieved,” 

The hearing on the case relating to the suspension of AIFF by FIFA was taking place in the Supreme Court today. 

In a press release FIFA issued it has been unanimously decided to suspend the AIFF with immediate effect as a result of which the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 cannot be held in India.

“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 press release said that the 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once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.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 new development happened after a petition was filed by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) who were appointed by the Supreme Court to run and write the new constitution of the AIFF sought contempt proceedings against former AIFF President Praful Patel and the office-bearers of seven other state associations.

The plea stated that it was the conduct of Patel and the others which led to communications issued by FIFA for withdrawing India’s hosting rights for the upcoming Under-17 Women’s World Cup.

The Supreme Court on August 3 ordered for an interim body to head the AIFF be conducted expeditiously in line with the draft constitution in place.