The power tussle within Indian footballing circles continues unabated. After the FIFA council slapped an indefinite ban on Indian football’s governing body– The All India Football Federation (AIFF)- opposing forces have accused former President Praful Patel of misleading FIFA officials. The ban, imposed citing “undue interference from third parties”, takes issue at the Supreme Court’s arbitration on its internal matters. In May, the apex court dismissed long-standing President Praful Patel and his Executive Committee from their duties, appointing a Committee of Arbitrators (CoA) to look after its affairs. The Committee comprised former SC judge AR Dave, ex-India captain Bhaskar Ganguly, and former Chief Commissioner of India, SY Quraishi. 

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As per lawyer and sports activist Rahul Mehra, the Praful camp- which includes state association heads- had issues with the CoA’s directives for the election of Executive Committee (EC) members. Per his account, the dispute stems from the inclusion of eminent ex-footballers- three male and two female- in the committee. Nitty gritty aside, Mehra alleges that Mr Patel’s objection to the proposals was the reason behind the ban. Patel, himself a member of the Council, is claimed to have convinced his fellow members that Supreme Court’s directives are akin to “third party influence.”

“Patel & others allegedly involved in misguiding FIFA/AFC into believing that SC adjudication can actually be termed as “third party interference” is unfortunate and they alone are fully responsible for subsequent withdrawal of under 17 women World Cup from India. #OnExpectedLines,” he wrote on Twitter. 

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Minerva Punjab FC owner Ranjit Bajaj- whose long-running feud with the AIFF has left behind considerable bad blood- did not hesitate to call the two bodies corrupt. Alleging that all their demands were met- aside from veteran administrators Subrata Dutta and Larsing Ming’s nomination to the EC- mockingly thanked Mr Patel for his Independence Day gift to Indian football. 

“Thank you so much @praful_patel for the  @FIFAcom ban even though yesterday the COA & @IndiaSports agreed to all DEMANDS by them-always knew that FIFA was a CORRUPT body which supports corruption at all levels-only thing they said no to was letting PP or Subrata in,” he wrote on Twitter. 

Bajaj’s Minerva Academy holds a majority stake in the Delhi Football Club, which had initially brought proceedings against the Praful Patel-led committee remaining in charge of AIFF’s affairs beyond their term.