The Committee of Administrators were directed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday to conduct the All India Football Federation elections expeditiously, in accordance with the timeline suggested by CoA and in consonance with the Sports Code and the Football Federation’s draft Constitution.
A Bench comprising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice J.B. Pardiwala passed the order on a plea filed by the All India Football Federation, challenging the Delhi High Court order, which stayed fresh elections of the committee.
It has been alleged that a committee was continuing illegally for over a decade.
The Apex Court explained that this will be an interim arrangement, till the implementation of the new constitution.
On July 28, a Bench comprising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant had adjourned hearing in the matter pertaining to the finalisation of a new constitution for the All India Football Federation to August 3, owing to paucity of time.
The bench, however, had orally assured that new date shall be given on the next hearing. The court said that this is for ensuring a democratically-elected body for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which is to take place in October, 2022.
In May, 2022, the apex court had appointed a committee consisting of Justice Anil R. Dave (Retired Supreme Court Judge), Dr. S.Y. Qureshi (former Chief Election Commissioner of India) and Bhaskar Ganguly (former Captain of the Indian Football team), to take up the administration of the All India Football Federation as an interim measure.
On the last date of hearing, the Supreme Court was informed that COA have finalised the report and 215 comments were received by them.
When the matter came up for hearing, the bench opined that the case might require a detailed consideration. At this juncture, Sankaranarayanan pointed out that FIFA has made it clear that they would want a democratically-elected body at the helm of AIFF.