FIFAs ban of AIFF: A timeline

In a staggering blow to India’s efforts to make its presence felt in the footballing world, the governing body of world football, FIFA, placed a temporary ban on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on August 16th due to ‘third party’ intervention. This suspension could have massive repercussions, as FIFA has said that in the present status quo, India will not be allowed to host the U–17 Women’s World Cup which was due to be held in India between October 11 and 30th. 

So how exactly did the AIFF get entangled in this embarrassing mess? Below is the timeline that explores how this ban came to be.

18th May 2022

It all started when Praful Patel, who has led the AIFF for the last 12 years completing his three terms, was relieved of his duties by the Supreme Court of India. The apex court appointed a Committee of Administrators (CoA) to oversee the functioning of the AIFF.

29th May 2022

One of the members of the CoA, Dr. S. Y. Qureshi, said that a new constitution will be drafted and in place by September end. 

Also read: FIFA move harsh but…: Bhaichung Bhutia on AIFF ban

11th June 2022

The CoA held a meeting to discuss the future course of action regarding holding elections under a fresh constitution that adhered to the national sports code, FIFA, and the AFC statutes.

21st-23rd June 2022

Three days of talks were held between the FIFA-AFC team and the CoA. The first round of talks went well, and after these meetings FIFA left with an assurance that a new constitution would be ready by 31st July and that the elections would be wrapped up by the end of September.

16th July 2022

The COA submitted the final draft of the new Constitution to the Supreme Court for its approval.

Also read: Fans taken aback by FIFA’s decision to suspend All India Football Federation

18th July 2022

Several state units of the AIFF expressed misgivings regarding certain provisions in the final draft of the constitution. These associations, which were represented by a seven-member panel, wrote a letter to the FIFA claiming that several clauses of the fresh Constitution were discriminatory and illogical. They were, however, ready to “find a middle ground” to avoid a FIFA ban.

21st July 2022

The Supreme Court heard both the CoA for AIFF and the State Associations. It directed all the parties to file objections, if any, by 25th July. The next hearing was scheduled for 28th July in order to clear the path for elections to take place.

26th July 2022

FIFA recommended that the AIFF take 25% eminent players representation in its executive committee instead of the 50% it had stipulated in its draft constitution.

28th July 2022

The date for the hearing on AIFF elections was postponed to 3rd August. The hosting of the Women’s Under-17 World Cup was marked as a priority.

Also read: FIFA suspends AIFF: What it means for Indian football

3rd August 2022

The apex court passed an interim order asking the AIFF to hold and conclude elections as quickly as possible and in time for the Women’s Under-17 World Cup to be held in October 2022.

A 27 day election schedule prepared by the CoA was agreed upon by a bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice D. Y. Chandrachud. According to the schedule, the results of the election would be declared on 28/29th August 2022.

An Electoral College was to be formed for the same. It would be made up of 36 representatives of State football associations as well as 36 eminent former football players.

6th August 2022

FIFA issued threats to suspend the AIFF and strip India off its right to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup due to third-party “influences”.

7th August 2022

FIFA was given reassurances from the CoA that the AIFF was set to be in order.

13th August 2022

Nominations of veteran administrators Subrata Dutta and Larsing Ming were rejected by the poll’s returning Officer Umesh Sinha on the grounds that both had been in the AIFF executive committee for three terms previously already. This made them ineligible currently to contest for any post as per a clause in the National Sports Code.

15th August 2022

FIFA informed the Indian Sports Ministry of its firm opposition to the inclusion of individual members in the electoral college for the upcoming AIFF elections.

16th August 2022

FIFA officially suspended AIFF, throwing the future of the Women’s U-17 World Cup 2022 in doubt since the suspension means that India will not be allowed to host the World Cup unless the suspension is revoked.