As part of the move, FIFA also scrapped India’s hosting of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
The decision by football’s governing body comes after India’s Supreme Court appointed the committee to take over the AIFF’s “day-to-day governance” in May after its chairman, Praful Patel, failed to organize meetings. elections originally scheduled for December 2020.
In June, FIFA organized a joint trip to India with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) where it “held constructive discussions with local stakeholders regarding the situation at the AIFF”.
“The meetings concluded that the next steps should be the ratification of the AIFF statutes in accordance with FIFA/AFC principles of good governance and the holding of an electoral congress to choose the next leadership of the AIFF. This would be based on a timetable agreed by the AIFF stakeholders,” FIFA said.
However, just over two months after the joint trip, FIFA announced the suspension of the AIFF.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has unanimously decided to suspend the Indian Football Association (AIFF) with immediate effect due to undue influence by third parties, which constitutes a serious breach of the FIFA Statutes,” says the press release.
“The suspension will be lifted once an order establishing a committee of trustees to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of day-to-day affairs. of the AIFF.”
In a letter from FIFA Secretary General – Fatma Samoura – to its member associations, Samoura said: “The AIFF representative and club teams are therefore no longer allowed to participate in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.
“This also means that neither the AIFF nor any of its members or officials can benefit from development programs, courses or training from FIFA and/or the AFC. Furthermore, we remind you and to your affiliates, not to come into sporting contact with the AIFF and/or its teams during the suspension of the AIFF.”
Regarding the U17 Women’s World Cup, which is due to start on October 11, the statement read: “FIFA is assessing the next steps regarding the tournament and will bring the matter to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary.
“FIFA is in constant constructive contact with India’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and hopes that a positive outcome to the case can still be achieved.”
CNN has contacted the AIFF for comment.
