The FIFA International Football Association announced on Monday that it was suspending membership of the Indian Federation, meaning the country is currently unable to host the Women’s Under-17 World Cup scheduled for October next year.
FIFA said in a statement: “Its board has unanimously decided to suspend membership of the Indian Football Association due to undue influence from a third party, which constitutes a serious violation of FIFA’s statutes.” The Indian federation is in disarray after former President Praful Patil decided to remain in office despite the expiration of his term and without holding new elections, procedures that the courts have declared invalid.
New elections are likely to take place on the 28th of this month with the start of the voting process last week after India’s Supreme Court approved a timetable prepared by officials. In 2020, India was supposed to host the U17 Women’s World Cup, but it was first canceled and then postponed due to the effects of the Corona virus until the current year, from 11 to 30 October. And FIFA added that due to the effects of the Indian Federation membership freeze, this year’s competition “is not currently able to be held in India as planned”, while stressing that they are “in constant and constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs”. “. affairs and sports in India, hoping to achieve a positive outcome.
For his part, former men’s team captain Baichung Butea told Zvezda Sport newspaper that the suspension of FIFA was “a very tough decision.” He added: “At the same time, I think this is a great opportunity to fix our system and it is very important that all stakeholders, federations, governmental associations and the Ministry of Sports come together to work together on the right system. and that everyone works for the development of sports.”
The FIFA decision states that the men’s and women’s national teams cannot play international matches for juniors or seniors during the period of suspension.
Indian clubs will also not be allowed to compete in the AFC Women’s Club Championship, AFC Cup and AFC Champions League. India captain Sunil Chetri advised his teammates to “not pay too much attention to the threat of a FIFA ban because the situation is out of their control.” According to FIFA, the suspension will be lifted once the order to form a committee of administrators is lifted, which will take over the powers of the Executive Committee of the Indian Federation and restore full control over its day-to-day affairs.
