Kolkata, Aug 16 (FN Agency) Millions of soccer fans across India on Tuesday woke up to the shocking news of world football governing body (FIFA) placing India under suspension for what it called third party intervention in the All India Football Federation (AIFF).The decision has resulted in a ban on India on playing and hosting any international event.FIFA announced the decision in the wee hours on Tuesday and most people n India came to know of the development when they woke up at day-break after celebrating India’s 76th Independence Day on August 15. “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 constitutesa serious violation of the FIFA Statutes,” the FIFA statement said.
India’s Supreme court has set up a three-member COA (Committee of Administrators) to run the show for AIFF until an elected body is constituted. The elections are to be held on August 28 and the poll process kicker off on August 13 as the apex court approved the time-line prepared by the CoA. Fifa’s decision has stripped India of the right to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup football that was slated to be held between October 11-31. Former Indian stars like Subrata Bhattacharya and Gautam Sarkar said they were surprised at FIFA’sdecision, saying this would affect the game in the country.
They opined that the decision was “surprising and harsh” on a country of 1.3 billion people which is constantly trying to develop the beautiful game through its length and breadth.The reaction of the AIFF was still awaited.India not only has lost the U-17 Women’s World Cup hosting rights, but the Indian men’s or women’s national teams also can’t play against other national football teams even at age-group levels till the ban is lifted. The decision also makes the Indian football clubs ineligible to participate in AFC Women ClubChampionship, AFC Cup and AFC Champions League competitions. FIFA, however, said the suspension would be lifted once the AIFF administration regains full control of the country’s apex soccer regulatory body. “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once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs,” the Fifa said in its statement.