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 means that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in India on October 11-30, 2022, cannot currently be held in India as planned.

What is FIFA?

• Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) exists to govern football and to develop the game around the world. 

• FIFA was founded in Paris on May 21, 1904, with a view to organising the world’s most popular sport. The foundation act was signed by representatives from France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

• With 211 affiliated associations, FIFA supports them financially and logistically through various programmes. As representatives of FIFA in their countries, they have obligations to respect the statutes, aims and ideals of football's governing body and promote and manage our sport accordingly.

• The FIFA Council is the main decision making body of the organisation in the intervals of FIFA Congress.

• The final composition of the FIFA Council will consist of 37 members: one president, elected by the FIFA Congress; eight vice presidents, and 28 other members elected by the member associations – each for a term of four years. 

• A minimum of one female representative must be elected per confederation. 

• The president and the members of the Council may serve for no more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not).

All India Football Federation (AIFF)

• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the recognised national sports federation for football.

• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was formed in 1937, when representatives of football associations of six regions met at the Army headquarters, Simla. The six regions which attended the historic meeting were Indian Football Association (IFA), Army Sports Control Board (ASCB), United Provinces, Bihar, North West India Football Association and Delhi.

• AIFF is a member of FIFA, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Indian Olympic Association. Accordingly, it is self obliged to respect the statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA & AFC and to ensure that these are likewise respected by its Members.

Why was AIFF suspended?

• This is the first time the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been suspended by FIFA in its 85-year history. 

• A ban on India has been on the cards since the Supreme Court removed Praful Patel as AIFF president on May 18 for not holding elections, due in December 2020.

• The apex court had appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA), headed by former apex court judge A.R. Dave, to manage the affairs of the national federation.

• The CoA, which has former Chief Election Commissioner of India S.Y. Quraishi and former India captain Bhaskar Ganguly as other members, also had to frame its constitution in line with the National Sports Code and model guidelines.

• The FIFA has never allowed third party interference in the affairs of its member units whether by the court or the government. It has set up normalisation committees in various countries in cases similar to India.

• The Bureau of the FIFA Council said the lifting of the suspension will be subject to repealing of the Committee of Administrators’ (CoA) mandate in full.

• 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.

• The suspension means that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in India from October 11-30, cannot currently be held in India as planned.

• FIFA is assessing the next steps with regard to the tournament and will refer the matter to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary.

• As per the FIFA move and with the AIFF losing all membership rights until further notice, the Indian clubs and representatives (players, referees, officials) are no longer entitled to take part in international suspension until the suspension is lifted.

• In the wake of the latest development, the Centre sought an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court on the AIFF matter.

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