Supreme Court scraps CoA; AIFF suspension could be lifted soon
In a major development, the Supreme Court has revoked the three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) that was appointed to monitor the daily affairs of the now-suspended All India Football Federation (AIFF). The was one of the key criteria set by FIFA in order to lift the suspension on AIFF imposed for violating the rules. Meanwhile, the court also postponed the AIFF elections.
Why does this story matter?
Earlier this month, FIFA suspended the Indian football body, AIFF, with immediate effect due to "undue influence from third parties". It was the first time in 85 years that the Indian football federation got banned. It was reported that India won't be able to host the Under-17 Women's football World Cup, which is scheduled to be held between October 11 and 30.
Supreme Court suspended Praful Patel in May
In May this year, the Supreme Court suspended Praful Patel asAIFF president for refraining from elections due in December 2020. Therefore, a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA), headed by judge AR Dave, was appointed to manage to affairs of the football federation. In August, FIFA urged the executive committee of AIFF to hold elections as per the schedule.
FIFA had warned AIFF of this outcome
FIFA warned of suspending the AIFF on August 5. It stated that India would be stripped of its rights to host the women's U-17 WC. The warning followed Supreme Court's directive to hold elections of the federation. The Supreme Court had approved the CoA-proposed timeline.
Football teams which have been banned in past
India is not the first nation to be banned from football. Iraq (2008), Nigeria (2014), Guatemala (2016), Kuwait (2015), Indonesia (2015), Pakistan (2017 and 2022), Chad (2021), Zimbabwe (2002), and Kenya (2022) are the other nations to have faced a similar fate.
What about the AIFF elections?
On August 3, the Supreme Court ordered to hold the AIFF elections under the supervision of the CoA on August 28, giving voting rights to 36 eminent players. It was report that FIFA is not in favor of an electoral college formed by individual members. In its mandate, the Supreme Court said the voters' list will comprise 36 members representing states and union territories.
AIFF administration to be in charge of its daily affairs
In a letter to Sunando Dhar, AIFF's general secretary, FIFA clarified it will lift the ban only after the "repeal of the CoA mandate in full". For the ban to end, the AIFF administration would have to be "fully in charge" of its daily affairs.
The formation of executive council
According to the Supreme Court, the executive council of the AIFF would comprise 23 members. As many as 17 of these, including the president, treasurer, and one vice-president, will be elected by the representatives of state associations and union territories. The other members - six eminent players (four men and two women) - would have voting rights in the executive council.
