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The Explainer: A timeline of FIFA suspension and its possible implications on Indian football

It all started to go from bad to worse as controversial former AIFF president Praful Patel, whose third term in office ended in December 2020, stayed in office citing a pending Supreme Court case.

Gianni Infantino and Praful Patel

Bengaluru, August 16: On Tuesday (August 16) morning, Indian football aficionados and fans woke up to the shocking news that the game's global governing body -- FIFA -- has suspended the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue influence from third parties.

The supension of AIFF has put into doubt, the country's prospects of hosting the Under-17 Women's World Cup.

The FIFA event is scheduled to be held from from October 11 to 30.

FIFA suspends All India Football Federation; U-17 Women's World Cup in doubtFIFA suspends All India Football Federation; U-17 Women's World Cup in doubt

With Agency inputs, myKhel.com looks at a timeline of events which forced FIFA to suspend AIFF and the possible implications it will have on Indian football in the near future.

Timeline

#May 18: Supreme Court verdict forces AIFF chief Praful Patel and his executive committee to step down. SC also appoints a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) headed by former top court judge AR Dave, former CEC SY Quraishi and ex-Indian football team captain Bhaskar Ganguly.

#May 23: Patel requests FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to not impose a ban on the country after the sports body was placed under a CoA.

#May 29: The CoA member Quraishi says a newly-elected body of the AIFF should be in place by September end and a modified constitution will be submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) by July 15.

#June 11: The CoA and members of some affiliated units meet to discuss the way forward on holding the long-pending elections of the national federation at the earliest under a new constitution adhering to the national sports code, FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Statutes.

#June 21: First round of talks between the visiting FIFA-AFC team and CoA running the affairs of Indian football goes off well.

#June 22: The AIFF member units meet the visiting FIFA-AFC team and informed them that the SC intervention in the national sports body was out of necessity.

#June 23: The visiting FIFA-AFC team sets deadlines to clean up the mess, asks the stakeholders to get the constitution approved by July 31 and conduct elections by September 15.

#July 13: The CoA sends final draft constitution of AIFF to FIFA.

#July 16: The CoA submits AIFF draft constitution to Supreme Court for its approval.

#July 18: AIFF state units expressed unhappiness over several provisions in the final draft constitution, but say willing to find middle ground.

#July 21: The SC endorses the need to expedite the elections to the AIFF.

#July 26: FIFA recommends AIFF to have 25 per cent eminent player representation in its Executive Committee as co-opted members instead of the 50 per cent stipulated in the draft constitution by CoA.

#July 28: A SC bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant say it will hear the modalities for holding the elections on August 3.

Infantino and Praful

#August 3: SC directs AIFF executive committee to to expeditiously hold elections as per the schedule proposed by the CoA, which is currently running the affairs of the national federation.

#August 5: The SC approves the CoA time-line for AIFF elections, polls to be held on August 28 and the poll process will start on August 13.

#August 6: FIFA threatens to suspend the AIFF and strip of its right to host the Women's U-17 World Cup in October due to a third party influence.

#August 7: The CoA assures FIFA that it is on course to set the AIFF.

#August 10: The CoA files a contempt petition against Patel for interfering with the proceedings of the SC.

#August 11: SC warns the state units of exercising its authority if Patel attends its meetings and interferes with the administration of justice.

#August 13: AIFF includes 36 'eminent' players, including Bhaichung Bhutia and IM Vijayan, in the list of voters comprising the electoral college for the general's body elections, which are to be held on August 28.

#August 15: FIFA suspends AIFF due to undue influence from third parties and says the U-17 Women's World Cup cannot currently be held in India as planned.

Implications

#The women's U-17 World Cup will not be held in India till the ban is in place.

#No Indian team can participate in international competitions or friendlies.

#ATK Mohun Bagan's chance to take part in the inter-zonal semifinals of the AFC Cup in September looks doubtful for now.

#Gokulam Kerala will not be able to represent India in next week's Asian Women's Club Championships.

#India's international friendlies against Singapore and Vietnam scheduled for next month stands cancelled.

Story first published: Tuesday, August 16, 2022, 16:21 [IST]
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