FIFA Bans AIFF: How can FIFA Ban on AIFF be Lifted? India experienced one of its darkest days right after celebrating the 76th Independence. The Football governing body of the world, FIFA decided to ban the All India Football Federation (AIFF) after citing the influence of a third party. This essentially means that the FIFA Women’s U17World Cup scheduled to be held in October in India is chucked off. With time still remaining in hand, here is what the Supreme Court, The Committee of Administrators (CoA), and the AIFF can do to revoke FIFA’s Ban. Follow FIFA Bans Indian Football news and live updates on InsideSport.IN
FIFA Bans AIFF: Fallout MASSIVE but this is how the ban can be lifted & India can still host FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup, Check OUT
Why Did FIFA BAN AIFF?
FIFA banning AIFF is not an immediate step. The course for FIFA to take this massive decision right ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in India has many dynamics to play. Trouble arose when former AIFF President Praful Patel failed to vacate his post after the completion of his term. As per the Sports Code, the president of the apex football body of the country can hold office for 12 years, which includes 3 terms.
In 2020, Patel failed to vacate his spot and fresh AIFF elections did not take place citing problems with the AIFF constitution. Earlier this year in May, the Supreme Court ordered Patel to step down and formed the CoA comprising Dr. SY Quraishi, Anil Dave, and Bhaskar Ganguly.
The CoA was tasked with the duty of controlling the day-to-day affairs of the AIFF and forming the new constitution of the AIFF. In June, officials from FIFA and AFC decided to visit India to get a clear picture of the proceedings. FIFA then set a deadline that the new constitution should come into place by 31 July and the AIFF elections should take place by 15th September.
HUGE BLOW for Indian football! FIFA suspends AIFF & all activities, India STRIPPED of hosting rights for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022;#IndianFootball #FifaBan #U17WWC #FIFA https://t.co/NI8rBvmXVD
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) August 16, 2022
FIFA Bans AIFF: Fallout MASSIVE but this is how the ban can be lifted & India can still host FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup, Check OUT
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The CoA in the meantime sent the draft constitution to the Supreme Court which was then subjected to criticism by many state federations. In the last week of July, FIFA asked AIFF to have 25% eminent player representation which was initially proposed to be 50%. Earlier in August, the Supreme Court approved that the AIFF elections are most necessary. The elections would conclude by 28th August with its process commencing from 13th August.
FIFA then sent out a notice that AIFF will likely be handed a ban with the rights to host the world cup being stripped away. In reply, the CoA assures FIFA that the process of forming a new AIFF body is on its way. On August 15, FIFA maintained its stand that it still opposes the electoral college representation and since the AIFF is under influence of a third party, the apex Football body since its inception 85 years ago is getting banned for the first time.
How can the FIFA BAN be Lifted?
Following FIFA’s ban on AIFF, the Supreme Court has decided to call up an immediate hearing on 17th August to decide on the matter. As of now, the ban from FIFA is understood to be temporary. The moment the norms and the protocols of the AIFF resume in complete order as per the Sporting guidelines of FIFA, the ban will be lifted.
Easier said than done, the FIFA council will lift the ban only when the demands of FIFA are fulfilled. For the Ban to be lifted the first thing that is needed is the dissolution of the CoA. Since FIFA has a stringent no policy toward a third party controlling the football body of a nation, the CoA needs to be dissolved. For the CoA to be dissolved the AIFF elections need to take place at the earliest.
The second demand of FIFA is the proper absolute functioning of the AIFF with a new democratically elected body. Therefore for India to revoke FIFA’s ban and host the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup would be to conduct the elections as per the proper norms of the election. Once the Election takes place and the New AIFF body takes control of the house, then the CoA will be dissolved for finishing its task.
After the dissolution of the CoA, the AIFF will inform FIFA about the same. The football governing body of the world will then look into the matter and after complete satisfaction, will revoke the ban. In the meantime, the Supreme Court will conduct the hearings and listen to the objections of the various parties. Following that, the new AIFF constitution will be adopted.
FIFA Bans AIFF: Fallout MASSIVE but this is how the ban can be lifted & India can still host FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup, Check OUT
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