The top football organisation in India has submitted repeated requests to the Supreme Court in an effort to have the FIFA suspension overturned.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was immediately suspended by FIFA, the world’s governing body of football, for “flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes” a week ago. To get the ban removed, the All India Football Federation has submitted various requests to the Supreme Court. These suggestions are based on discussions the Center has with FIFA.
AIFF suggested in a hearing today 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.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta spoke before the Supreme Court on behalf of the Centre, saying that the suspension of the AIFF would be devastating for the entire country and all football players.
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.
The highest court did, however, state that “we implore Center to take a proactive role to hold the U17 World Cup and lifting of the suspension of AIFF be facilitated” after the suspension.
The AIFF has suggested that players be excluded from the voters’ list, which should only comprise representatives of state/UT member associations of the AIFF.
It also recommended to the highest court that the AIFF general assembly elect an impartial electoral committee to oversee the election of a new executive committee.
“In order to meet FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation’s regulations, the AIFF constitution must be amended. The AIFF General Assembly should accept the same without outside intervention (such as CoA), “It read.
In order for the newly elected body to take over running the activities of the AIFF and FIFA to lift the suspension, the AIFF wants the CoA’s position in the organisation to cease on August 23 and elections to be held as soon as possible.
Elections slated for August 28 have been suggested to be postponed by one week by the Center. It stated that this was necessary as a result of the nomination process adjustments.
The Supreme Court has started today’s key hearing on the sports ministry’s motion following the FIFA suspension.
(Source: Agency)
Prasanta Patnaik