The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF), clearing the decks for India to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in October. 

Why FIFA banned India?

• 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.

FIFA lifts AIFF suspension

• The suspension, the first time in AIFF’s 85-year history, lasted just 11 days after the Supreme Court dissolved the three-member CoA, constituted by it in May, while modifying its earlier orders to ensure that India hosts the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup from October 11-30.

• The day-to-day management of AIFF shall be exclusively looked after by the AIFF administration led by the acting secretary general. The mandate of the Committee of Administrators appointed by the order of this Court stands terminated, the SC said in its verdict on August 22.

• The top court also postponed the August 28 elections of the AIFF by one week to allow a changed electoral college and the start of the nomination process.

• The order came on a fresh plea filed by the sports ministry seeking modification of the May 18 and August 3 orders of the court after consultation with the FIFA.

• 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. 

• The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on October 11-30, 2022 will be held in India as planned.

• FIFA and the AFC will continue to monitor the situation and will support the AIFF in conducting its elections in a timely manner. 

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.

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