Why did FIFA Ban India?

On 15 Aug, FIFA banned the All India Football Federation with immediate effect because of influence from 3rd parties.

What were those undue influences? This has never happened in 70 years... never happened in the history of Indian football.

Which other countries have been banned by FIFA before?

This means that the upcoming U-17 women's world cup scheduled in India may not happen.

As of today, the situation is that AIFF has lost membership and cannot participate in international football events.

The suspension will remain until AIFF regains control of daily affairs. FIFA ran out of patience

FIFA is not at fault it is our own mistake as AIFF was struggling in leadership

Praful Patel did not want to lose their position as president of AIFF, and there was no election in 2 years

The Supreme court intervened even then, but the course was not corrected, and that is why FIFA took the harsh step

Very clearly, youngsters are doing their best to perform at a global level, but at the political level, the situation does not look good

It is time to take control of sports away from politicians

Because All India Football Federation, nation has faced this humiliation because they did not conduct a timely election

There was a delay in finalizing the constitution; political push and pull prevented the proper functioning of the body

The Supreme court had to step in and create a committee of administrators considering the national sports development code of India, and Praful Patel was ousted

Praful Patel was unwilling to lose his chair

3 member committee of administrators included...

Their job was to install a new constitution, conduct elections and manage day-to-day affairs at AIFF.

At least that was the plan.

Praful Patel decided counter move and took another opportunity to play politics.

Praful Patel did not leave the federation and tried to meet members of our football federation.

How? Because Praful Patel was an executive council member of FIFA and used that to his advantage in Indian football

This is the allegation against him.

The Supreme court was not pleased with state football associations

The aim of the supreme court was for India to host the prestigious U-17 women's world cup

The Supreme court indicated to Praful Patel not to intervene further in the matters of Indian football

The Supreme court wanted the tournament to happen on time and successfully

The top court wanted an executive committee to be formed as soon as possible, and 36 state football associations would be part of the electoral college

as well as 36 eminent football players

24 male and 12 female football players who played at least 1 international match for India

...and retired at least 2 years before

But FIFA and AFC were against the changing of electoral college composition as their system was differently designed.

Inclusion of individual sportspersons in AIFF general body opposed FIFA statutes 2022

FIFA was also adamant regarding its rules

FIFA was against 50-50 distribution as it would disturb the working of the football federation. FIFA wanted 25% of former players as members

This was the cause of friction

The issue escalated, and FIFA decided to ban AIFF

The Committee of administrators says that this ban is orchestrated by Praful Patel.

This ban is Praful Patel's revenge for insulting the supreme court so that the tournament does not happen.

That is why contempt of court is issued against NCP leader Praful Patel

Now a committee of administrators wants Praful Patel barred from any football-related activities and positions

Several other names have emerged who interfered with the process

Patel was president of AIFF for 12 years now, moved on from Football

Politics is not limited to only one sport... its bad influence is far and wide across all games

Indian Olympic association got a warning from the International Olympic committee

International organizations won't listen to excuses

The international hockey federation observed that the executive board of Hockey India violated our own national sports code

People undeserving of top positions are holding them, so that was pointed out in writing

Will we get suspended in another major sport?

But there is still one ray of hope...

The Committee of administrators had agreed to FIFA's demands to conduct an election without eminent players.

This understanding was reached only hours before the ban was announced

So it is possible that after the agreement is final, the ban may be removed soon

AIFF is still hopeful of conducting FIFA U-17 women's world cup; fingers crossed, and hope the matter is resolved

The main cause of this situation is a political class who want power, either electoral or sport related

The national sports development code was introduced in 2011

To improve management, some measures like age and term restrictions were taken for the smooth functioning of sports bodies

Implementation of the sports code has not been done well even after so many years

International bodies point this out and warn of suspending our sports bodies which is humiliating for the country as well

That is why we should hold politicians accountable...

Delay in the election, back door interference, etc. these moves by politicians must be dealt with

When political influence is reduced, sports bodies can function rightly, and sportspersons will do even better in competitions.