AIFF under COA: Will FIFA ban India on account of third party interference? Indian football currently is in the doldrums – staring into the abyss as even a FIFA ban cannot be ruled out. In an unforeseen decision, the Supreme Court has appointed a new three-member CoA committee to oversee operations of the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF), disbanding the previously-effective Praful Patel-led committee.
Notably, Patel has already served his maximum tenure of 12 years, but he still did not vacate his position as his entourage is looking for clarity on the status of the constitution of AIFF. Accordingly, AIFF has not held elections for the past two seasons, but the honourable Supreme Court has now given a verdict, appointing a CoA that comprises Bhaskar Ganguly, SY Qureshi and Anil Dave.
AIFF under COA: Will FIFA ban India on account of third party interference? Check Details
There is, however, one big downside of this entire operation. The global football governing body, FIFA might term this as ‘third-party interference’ in football operations, which could result in AIFF getting banned.
Consequences India will face if they get banned by FIFA:
- If India gets a FIFA ban, all of India’s football activities will come to a halt.
- India are slated to play three matches in the 2023 AFC Cup Qualifiers next month. In case of a ban, those games will be called off.
- Like the senior team, the junior sides will also be adversely affected.
- The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, which is supposed to be held in India from October, might be rescheduled in a different host country.
- The AFC Cup matches in Kolkata, where ATK Mohun Bagan and Gokulam Kerala are playing, could be called off.
- However, domestic tournaments will run as usual even if there is a FIFA ban, since FIFA does not have jurisdiction over competitions like ISL and I-League.
- Though ISL and I-League might continue, transfers of overseas players will be totally stopped.
AIFF under COA: Will FIFA ban India on account of third party interference? Check Details
Instances where FIFA handed bans for third-party interference:
- Back in 2014, the Nigerian Football Federation was headed by a civil servant on the court’s order. Subsequently, they were suspended by FIFA.
- Three years later, FIFA handed Pakistan a similar ban for third-party interference.
- The Trinidad and Tobago football federation was suspended in 2020 for a similar reason.
- Most recently, Zimbabwe and Kenya’s governing bodies were banned for organizational flaws which needed third-party interference.
AIFF under COA: Will FIFA ban India on account of third party interference? Check Details
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