Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Aug 22: Week after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was suspended by FIFA for ‘flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes,’ country’s leading football body has submitted various proposals to the Supreme Court to get the suspension lifted. These proposals are based on the Centre’s talks with FIFA.
AIFF suggested in a hearing on Monday that its management and administration be carried out by a legally recognised body rather than by a third party (the Committee of Administrators, or CoA), and as a result, the CoA’s term should be terminated.
“Suspension of AIFF is disastrous for the entire nation and all football players,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told SC.
In its order of suspension, FIFA had alleged “undue influence from other parties.” Additionally, it stated that the U-17 Women’s World Cup “cannot yet be hosted in India as planned” despite being set to take place in October of this year.
The Centre has moved the Supreme Court to declare the Committee of Administrators (CoA) ineligible and order that the AIFF administration, headed by the interim Secretary General, take over day-to-day operations. Additionally, it requested that the elections be held “de novo” (from the beginning).
On August 3, the Supreme Court issued a ruling mandating the holding of AIFF elections on August 28 under the auspices of the CoA, with 36 illustrious players being granted voting rights. However, the FIFA, which opposed the electoral college being made up of individual members, suspended the AIFF on August 15.
In a May 18 ruling, the Supreme Court removed Praful Patel as president of the national federation and replaced him with the three-member CoA led by former chief justice AR Dave.
