FIFA removes the ban on All India Football Federation, Women’s U17 World Cup to go ahead as planned

Recently, FIFA banned the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) citing third-party involvement in the daily affairs of the AIFF. After this, the fate of the Women’s U17 World Cup which was scheduled to be played in the Indian winters was hanging by a thread. Now, the World Football Body had decided to lift the ban.

In the statement issued by FIFA, it says the body has received the confirmation of the termination of the power of the Court-appointed administration. Further in the statement, it says that the AIFF has regained its administrative control fully. This results in the Women’s U17 World Cup being played as per the plan.

“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue third-party influence,” FIFA said in a statement.

“The decision was taken after 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.

“As a consequence, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 will be held in India as planned,” the report further added.

AIFF’s acting general secretary requested FIFA reconsider the ban

Before the ban was lifted, the AIFF acting general secretary Sunando Dhar had informed the World Body to reconsider the ban. In a letter written to FIFA, he assured them that the administrative powers of the AIFF have been taken back from the Court appointed Administrators (COA).

“It is with immense pleasure that we inform you that the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India took up our matter and vide order dated 22.08.2022 was pleased to pass directions regarding the full repeal of the CoA mandate and consequently the AIFF having full charge of the AIFF’s daily affairs,” Dhar wrote in the letter.

“In view of the above, we request the FIFA and especially the Bureau to reconsider their decision of suspending the AIFF.

“Since the conditions set out in your Letter for lifting of the suspension stand satisfied, we request that a order to that effect be passed at the earliest for the AIFF to continue with the smooth running of football in India,” the letter further stated.