FIFA bans All India Football Federation over undue influence from third parties with immediate effect

FIFA has banned the All India Football Federation due to undue influence from third parties. It released a statement revealing that it has banned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect. In the month of May, the Supreme Court of India expelled Praful Patel as the AIFF president for not holding the elections due in late 2020. The court also appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators to determine the affairs of the All India Football Federation.

"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," stated an official media release, issued by FIFA.

"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," stated the release further.

"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," stated the release.

On August 3, the Supreme Court of India ordered the committee of the AIFF to hold the elections as directed by the Committee of Administrators. This posed a threat for Indian football as there was speculation that the federation might be banned by FIFA. And FIFA had also warned that it might ban the AIFF with immediate effect due to influence from third parties.

The Indian captain Sunil Chhetri earlier advised the players to not pay much attention to the news. The veteran advised the players to concentrate on their games. He said that the players must be ready to represent the country whenever an opportunity arises. The star footballer added that the AIFF is doing its duty and the players must work on their game. However, FIFA has said in the statement that it is still in touch with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India for a positive outcome.