FIFA revokes ban on All India Football Federation, confirms India's right to host Women's U-17 World Cup

New Delhi, Aug 26: In a massive relief to Indian football, FIFA on Friday (August 26) decided to lift the suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect and confirmed the country's right to host the upcoming Women's U-17 World Cup in October.

The FIFA in its official statement claimed, "Bureau of the Council decided on 25 August to lift the suspension of the AIFF with immediate effect. As a consequence, the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 can be held in India as planned."

"The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the committee of administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated and that the AIFF administration had regained full control of the AIFF's daily affairs. FIFA and the AFC will continue to monitor the situation and will support the AIFF in organising its elections in a timely manner," the statement added further.

Soon after FIFA's statement, Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur took to his Twitter handle to express his delight and even called it a big victory for football fans in the country.

Thakur wrote, "Delighted to share the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided today to lift the suspension of the AIFF with immediate effect. The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 will be held in India as planned! A victory for all football fans!"

"The darkest hour of Indian Football is finally over," Sunando Dhar, AIFF acting general secretary, was quoted by media reports as saying after the ban was lifted by the global body.

Earlier on August 15, the game's global governing body imposed a ban on the AIFF due to "third party interference" and said that the women's age-group showpiece "cannot currently be held in India as planned".

FIFA said that it wants an independent electoral committee to be elected by the AIFF general assembly to run the elections of a new executive committee".

It had also said that the AIFF must hold its elections based on the pre-existing membership of the AIFF" (i.e state associations only without individual members).

In the wake of FIFA's suspension, the Supreme Court took a slew of measures and immediately dissolved the Committee of Administrators (CoA) and approved the holding of AIFF elections. The fresh dates for elections were announced to be held on September 2, and the process of filing nomination papers has also been completed.

Legendary India football player Bhaichung Bhutia and former India goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey have filed nomination for the president's post. Chaubey, seen as the BJP candidate, has emerged as the front runner for the top job.