FIFA Suspends Indian Football Federation Over 'Undue Third-Party Influence'

The Bureau of the FIFA Council unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The Bureau of the FIFA Council on Monday, 15 August, unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect due to undue influence from third parties. Image used for representational purposes.

Photo Courtesy: Twitter/FIFA World Cup

The Bureau of the FIFA Council on Monday, 15 August, unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect due to undue influence from third parties.

The suspension also spells a change for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which was scheduled to be held in India in October.

"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."

FIFA

"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once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs," FIFA said in a press release.

The AIFF had elicited legal reprimand after former chief Praful Patel stayed in office beyond his term without fresh elections. The Supreme Court disbanded the AIFF in May and appointed a three-member committee to govern Indian football, amend the AIFF’s constitution, and conduct elections that have been pending for 18 months.

As for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, FIFA said that it was "assessing the next steps with regard to the tournament and will refer the matter to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary."

"FIFA is in constant constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India and is hopeful that a positive outcome to the case may still be achieved," it added.

Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Matter on Wednesday

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the matter related to the suspension of the AIFF on Wednesday.

This comes after the Centre on Tuesday asked the top court to list the matter for urgent hearing.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told a bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna, that an "important development" had taken place and that the letter sent by FIFA suspending India should be brought on record.

"I request that the AIFF matter pending before the court be urgently heard," Mehta said, as per news agency PTI.

The bench, in its reply, said that it would try to take up the case first thing on Wednesday.

(With inputs from PTI.)