By Victor Kanayo
World football governing body FIFA, Friday, lifted the suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) which was imposed due to undue third-party interference.
The world body had on August 15 imposed a ban on AIFF due to “third party interference” and said that the women’s age-group showpiece “cannot currently be held in India as planned”.
In a desperate move to get the FIFA ban on AIFF revoked, the central government on Sunday moved an application in the Supreme Court, seeking an end to the “mandate” of the Committee of Administrators (CoA), as demanded by the world governing body.
In a letter addressed to AIFF General secretary, FIFA confirmed its latest decision to lift its suspension with immediate effect just 11 days after imposing the sanction and futher approved for it hosting of the U17 Women’s World Cup planned for October 11 to 30 to go on as scheduled.
“We would like to inform you that the situation of the AIFF was submitted to the attention of the Bureau of the FIFA Council (hereinafter: the Bureau),” FIFA wrote AIFF on Friday.
“On this occasion, the Bureau was informed of the Supreme Court hearing held on 22 August 2022, by means of which it was decided, inter alia, that: the mandate of the CoA “stands terminated”; and the day-to-day management of AIFF shall be exclusively looked after by the AIFF administration led by the Acting General Secretary.
“Under these circumstances, the Bureau of the Council decided on 25 August 2022 to lift the suspension of the AIFF with immediate effect. As a consequence, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 can be held in India as planned.
“Finally, as foreseen in the decision of the Bureau of 14 August 2022, a further communication to the AIFF will follow shortly with respect to the next steps to be taken towards holding elections. Kindly take note that FIFA and the AFC will continue to monitor the situation and will support the AIFF in organising the elections in a timely manner. We thank you for taking note of the above and welcome this positive outcome,” the letter reads.
