FIFA suspends AIFF: What it means for Indian football

FIFA, the global governing body of football, suspended the All India Football Federation on Monday. FIFA cited “undue influence from third parties” as the reason for suspending India’s football association.

The international sports body said in a statement that the suspension will be effective immediately and that the “undue influence” was a “serious violation of the FIFA Statutes.”

Also Read: FIFA threatens AIFF ban, stripping off right to host women’s U-17 World Cup

India was scheduled to host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled in October this year. However, the suspension means that the tournament “cannot currently be held in India as planned”, FIFA said in a statement.

The suspension also bans India’s football teams to take part in any international competitions. This would be applicable to all age groups.

Indian football clubs will also be restricted from participating in AFC Women Club Championship, AFC Cup and AFC Champions League competitions. Domestic and national leagues like the I-league and the Indian Super League would not be impacted.

Also Read: Sunil Chhetri reacts to FIFA’s suspension threat against AIFF

Is the suspension permanent?

No. In the statement released on Tuesday, FIFA said that the All India Football Federation’s suspension can be reversed. The statement read, “The suspension will be lifted once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF executive committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.”

The All India Football Federation, which now falls under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, was established in 1937. Representatives of six regional football federations met in Simla, now known as Shimla, to form the federation.

FIFA had threatened India with a ban earlier this month. The Supreme Court quickly followed up and directed the AIFF to expeditiously hold elections. The elections were to be held on August 28 and the poll process was to start on August 13, news agency PTI reported.