Football's governing body FIFA, suspended the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on August 15 due to undue influence from third parties, which according to FIFA is a “serious violation of the FIFA Statutes”. This not only dented India's chances of hosting the U17 Women's World Cup in October but India's national teams will not be able to play international fixtures until the suspension is lifted.
But what caused this violation?
The conflict began when former chief Praful Patel stayed in office beyond his term despite completing his three terms and 12 years as AIFF president in December 2020.
The Supreme Court of India ruled it invalid and relieved Praful Patel and his executive committee from their responsibilities. The SC then appointed a Committee of Administrators (CoA) to oversee the functioning of the AIFF it had selected in May 2022. It was also given the responsibility to draft the constitution for the same body.
On July 16, 2022, CoA submitted the final draft constitution of the AIFF to the Supreme Court for its approval. However, the state units of the AIFF expressed their unhappiness with several provisions in the final draft constitution.
On August 3, the Supreme Court directed the holding of elections to the executive committee of the AIFF by forming an Electoral College made up of 36 representatives of state football associations and 36 eminent former football players.
FIFA though threatened to suspend the AIFF and strip off its rights to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in October due to a third-party “influence.” But the CoA reassured FIFA after the threat that it was on course to set the AIFF in order.
On August 15, FIFA informed the Indian sports ministry that it remained firm in its opposition to individual members’ inclusion in the electoral college for the upcoming AIFF elections.
Football's governing body finally took the hard call and suspended AIFF a day later. However, FIFA also stated that the suspension will be lifted once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee was repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.