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What’s the story?
World’s apex football governing body, FIFA, has warned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) against bringing in any third party interference in its operations, an action that could see the AIFF get banned.
In case you didn’t know…
The AIFF has come under a lot of fire in recent times, after their former president Praful Patel was removed from his court by the Delhi High Court. The Delhi HC had cited AIFF’s non-compliance with the Sports Codeduring its presidential elections, as the main cause for the removal of Patel from his post.
Instead of Patel, the Delhi HC had installed former chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi, as the administrator of the Indian football federation.
Heart of the matter
FIFA has a zero tolerance policy towards third party interference, when it comes to the dealings of a country’s football federation. Countries like neighbours Pakistan, Kuwait, and Guatemala have already been banned by the FIFA.
On Friday, FIFA had sent a letter to the AIFF, asking the Indian football federation about more details from the Delhi HC’s sacking of Praful Patel as the AIFF chief.
“We can confirm that FIFA has today sent a letter to the AIFF requesting more information about Delhi’s High Court decision as well as the steps that AIFF intends to undertake in this matter,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“FIFA has also reminded the AIFF that in accordance with art. 14 par. 1 Iet. i) and art‚ 19 of the FIFA Statutes all member associations, including the AIFF, are obliged to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties.”
What’s next?
This serves as a rather serious warning for the AIFF, which could now face a ban from football’s apex world governing body. However, the AIFF, after receiving this letter, is set to consult its team of lawyers, before taking an action.
Author’s take:
The Sports Code is something that is meant to bring the National Sports Federations in this country under control. Many of these NSFs are under the control of politicians, and a set of transparent elections could go a long way in clearing the air within these organizations, and run the sports smoothly.
