It is a matter of shame and concern for both India and the AIFF that the top governing body regulating the matters of International Football has banned India from taking part in International Football competitions. Alongside the case of India banned by FIFA, India has also lost its golden opportunity to act as host for the upcoming U-17 women’s World Cup! But, what events led to such a decision by FIFA? Who is responsible for AIFF ban? FIFA ban India for how many years? Read this Article to the end to know more about why FIFA ban India from football and which are the other FIFA banned countries.
Why FIFA Ban India From Football?
A dark cloud of failure and shame has been hanging upon India as the dates for the upcoming U-17 Women’s World Cup for football come nearer and nearer. In its 85 years of existence, for the first time in India’s football history, the AIFF, a member association of FIFA has been banned by the top governing body of football for undue influence from third parties.
In its statement on Tuesday, FIFA said, The Bureau of the FIFA Council has unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect due to undue influence from third parties, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes.”. But, why FIFA ban Indiafrom Football? What was the case which led to such a concern by FIFA? Who is responsible for AIFF ban? Read below.
Who Is Responsible For AIFF Ban?
The situation for Indian football started to decline earlier this year in May. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, elections to appoint a new President could not commence. Ultimately, the Supreme Court intervened in the matter and ended the term of the sitting AIFF president, Praful Patel from his post. But, to regulate the affairs of the committee, members needed to appoint.
So, in order to bring back the situation to normal, the SC appointed a three-member committee of administrators, the CoA, including former judge AR Dave, former chief election commissioner S Y Qureshi and Bhaskar Ganguly, a former captain of the Indian football team. But, this decision aggravated the problem further as this was seen as an undue influence from the third parties in the internal matters of football by FIFA. Being an independent body, FIFA accused the CoA of violating the rules and regulations of the international governing body of football. But, why did the organization say so?
Problems erupted when on August 3, the AIFF started preparing for the election with 36 players – 24 men and 12 women, which had upset FIFA. According to the FIFA rules and regulations, only state associations have the power to take part in the voting system. Though FIFA agreed to 25℅ representation of the eminent players in the organization, it accused AIFF of not adhering to the decision of the highest authority.
Additionally, the CoA also did some serious changes in the organization, which followed that AIFF should be given sole power to control and influence the top league. While FIFA did not immediately react to the functions of the CoA, continuous changes in the AIFF functioning disappointed the international body and AIFF on Monday received an email from FIFA regarding the banning of India from international football.
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Impact Of The Ban – FIFA Ban India For How Many Years?
According to the statement issued by FIFA forIndia banned by FIFAfrom international football, “ The suspension means that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in India on 11-30 October 2022, cannot currently be held in India as planned. FIFA is assessing the next steps with regard to the tournament and will refer the matter to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary.
FIFA is in constant constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India and is hopeful that a positive outcome to the case may still be achieved.”. But, a ray of light is still found as the top governing body has not yet still announced the alternative host for the U-17 women’s football world Cup. Right now, there is nothing specified on FIFA ban India for how many years. So, we can hope that if matters are solved, India can still have the golden opportunity to act as the host.
Additionally, the suspension also stops India from associating itself with any international football, this is true for all National teams of all age groups. Again, Mohun Bagan all set to take part in the AFC cup might be barred from playing in Asia’s second-tier club competition.
The tickets have been put up for sale regarding the U-17 Women’s World Cup. If the decision by FIFA stays for long, India might face serious consequences. But, nothing can be predicted as of now until the results of the hearing!
FIFA Banned Countries
Do you know that India is not the first country that gets banned by FIFA for third-party intervention in its internal matters? Well, India banned by FIFAin the 21st century is not the only country to face such an embarrassment by the top international governing body for football. Here we present a few other FIFA banned countries which had met the same fate as India.
- Iraq in 2008 and 2009
- Brunei in 2009
- Nigeria in 2014
- Indonesia 2015
- Kuwait in 2015
- Guatemala in 2016
- Benin in 2016
- Pakistan in 2017
- Chad in 2021
- Zimbabwe in 2022
- Kenya in 2022
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India Banned By FIFA – What’s In Store Next For AIFF
What could be done to free India from the ban? This is the burning question at this emergency hour! In a letter to the AIFF, FIFA has put forward its demands to lift the ban.
- Firstly, the intervention by the CoA in the internal matters of the AIFF should be ended completely.
- Secondly, the administration of the AIFF should only possess the power to take part in matters regarding football. The international governing body also stated that the AIFF Constitution should be revised according to the Policies and rules and regulations put forward by FIFA. Again, the elections should be held only based on the membership of the state associations only. No interference of the individual players will be entertained by FIFA.
Supreme Court Orders The Government Of India To Work Towards Lifting The AIFF Ban
Now, the Supreme Court has again stepped into the matter and heard the case a day after the ban. The judiciary has ordered the Government to work towards lifting the ban on India. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representative of the Centre stated before the court that the Government has already held meetings with FIFA regarding the lifting of the ban.
The top international governing body for football, FIFA said, FIFA is in constant constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India and is hopeful that a positive outcome to the case may still be achieved,”
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