FIFA AIFF Bans: Timeline of events from Praful Patel’s debacle to loss of qualification for U-17 Women’s World Cup
The International de Football Association (FIFA), the governing body of world football, banned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on August 16 citing ‘third party interference’.
“The FIFA Council Office has unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect due to undue influence from third parties, which is a serious breach of the FIFA Statutes.” Read the official statement.
“The suspension will be lifted after the order to create an administrator committee to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control over the day-to-day affairs of the AIFF. AIFF.”
The country’s suspension would jeopardize its chances of hosting the U-17 Women’s World Cup, which was supposed to be held from October 11-30 later this year.
Below is a schedule of events leading up to the suspension.
Former AIFF Director Praful Patel | Image source: RV Moorthy
May 18, 2022
The Supreme Court of India removed Praful Patel and his executive committee from their responsibilities and appointed a Committee of Administrators (CoA) to oversee the operation of the AIFF – a committee also responsible for composing draft the constitution for the same body.
Patel completed three terms and 12 years as AIFF president in December 2020, the maximum allowed for a national sports federation head under the Sports Code, but polls could not took place because of pending cases in the Supreme Court over its constitution.
May 29, 2022
CoA member, Dr. SY Qureshi, said a new AIFF constitution Will be available at the end of September.
June 11, 2022
CoA and members of several affiliated entities meet to discuss the path towards holding the earliest AIFF elections under an amended constitution, in accordance with the national sports code, FIFA Statutes and AFC.
June 21, 2022
The first round of negotiations between the FIFA-AFC away team and the CoA “went well”.
It appoints a 12-member advisory committee to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the various divisions of the AIFF. The Advisory Committee will send regular reports to all members of the CoA for their information and approval if requested.
June 23, 2022
After three days of meetings, FIFA left with the assurance of the completion of the new constitution by July 31 and the election process by the end of September.
July 6, 2022
The CoA meets a seven-member committee representing AIFF’s State Associations to discuss various aspects and proposals on the draft constitution.
Supreme Court of India | Image source: Sushil Kumar Verma
July 16, 2022
The AIFF’s final draft constitution, framed by the CoA, is submitted to the Supreme Court for approval.
July 18, 2022
The AIFF’s state units expressed dissatisfaction with several provisions of the final draft constitution. However, they say they are ready to “find an intermediary” to avoid the FIFA ban.
The cantonal associations, represented by a seven-member council, wrote to FIFA that some provisions of the final draft constitution, drafted by the CoA, were discriminatory and illogical.
RELATED | AIFF’s disgruntled state associations willing to find “middle point”
July 21, 2022
The Supreme Court heard an appeal from the CoA to the AIFF and the State Associations about the proposed constitutional difference and directed all parties to file objections, if any, by July 25.
It set a date for the next hearing as July 28 to discuss the draft constitution and ratify it on the same day to pave the way for elections for the national football body.
July 26, 2022
FIFA recommends that the AIFF should have 25% outstanding player representation on its Executive Committee as co-selected members instead of the 50% mandated by the CoA in the draft constitution.
July 28, 2022
India’s Supreme Court adjourns hearings on AIFF elections to August 3, keeping priority on World Cup hosting for women under 17.
Justice DY Chandrachud, one of the judges sitting on the case, said although the court would not be able to complete the entire commission, it could issue guidelines for elections.
August 3, 2022
The Supreme Court passed an interim order ordering the AIFF to organize and conclude the elections for its executive committee as quickly as possible and in a timely manner for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup to be held. taking place in India in October 2022.
A Bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud agreed to a 27-day election schedule led by the CoA – represented by senior supporter Gopal Sankaranarayanan – the organization that manages AIFF affairs.
According to the schedule, the election results will be announced on August 28/29, 2022.
The Supreme Court directed elections to the AIFF’s executive committee by establishing an Electoral College of 36 representatives of state football associations and 36 prominent former football players.
RELATED | The earliest AIFF election: Supreme Court
August 6, 2022
FIFA threatened to suspend the AIFF and strip it of the right to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in October due to “influence” of a third party.
August 7, 2022
The CoA reassured FIFA after the threat that it would of course have to set up the AIFF in order, while criticizing ousted president Praful Patel for his involvement in the suspension of the national body.
August 13, 2022
Veteran administrators Subrata Dutta and Larsing Ming nominated before the AIFF election were rejected by the poll’s returning officer, Umesh Sinha.
Both men had served on the AIFF executive committee for the previous three terms, making them ineligible to run for any positions for the next four terms, under a provision in the National Sports Code. family.
RELATED | AIFF Elections: Subrata Dutta, Larsing Ming nominations rejected by returning officer
August 15, 2022
FIFA informed India’s Ministry of Sports that it remains firmly opposed to the inclusion of individual members in the electorate for the upcoming Indian Football Federation (AIFF) elections.
While we agree that the players’ voices should be heard, we also believe that the importance of current AIFF members should not be diminished. Bringing in 50% of the members in the General Assembly structure… is not a prudent idea and AIFF should seek to be more diverse in the future.
– FIFA said in a letter in mid-July.
August 16, 2022
FIFA officially suspends AIFFwhich means the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place from October 11 to 30, 2022, cannot currently be held in the country as planned.
