The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced on Friday, 26 August, that its Bureau of the Council decided on Thursday to lift the suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect.
As a consequence, the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place from 11-30 October 2022, can be held in India as planned, FIFA said.
Prior to the suspension, the operations of AIFF were being managed by a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the Supreme Court. The primary function of the CoA was to assist the court in conducting Presidential and executive committee elections and the formation of a new AIFF constitution.
FIFA, however, saw this as 'undue third-party influence' and suspended AIFF on 16 September. However, on 22 August, the apex court scrapped CoA after hearing the suggestions of the Solicitor General representing Centre.
Following this development, the global football governing body has now decided to revoke the suspension on AIFF, which subsequently means India will be able to host the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. Besides that, ATK Mohun Bagan are now once again declared eligible to participate in the upcoming inter-zonal semi-finals of the 2022 AFC Cup.
"The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the committee of administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated and that the AIFF administration had regained full control of the AIFF's daily affairs," FIFA said in a statement.
"As a consequence, the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 will be held in India as planned," the statement further read.
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