World Football Governing Body FIFA on August 15 suspended Indian Football Federation with immediate effect. FIFA cites undue influence from the third parties for suspension. FIFA termed India’s code infringement a serious violation of FIFA statutes.
The FIFA move is a big setback for India from hosting Under-17 Women’s World Cup in September. This also means that Indian national teams, men and women cannot play against other countries until the ban is lifted. India was due to host the World Cup from October 11 to 30. The 2020 tournament to be held in India was cancelled and postponed because of the Covid pandemic.
The suspension will remain in place until AIFF (All India Football Federation) regains full control of its daily affairs, said FIFA in a statement. The AIFF is being run by administrators after former chief Praful Patel stayed in office beyond his term without fresh elections, which courts ruled invalid.
Issuing a statement on the matter, FIFA said:
“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.
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once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.”
