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What’s the story?
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is planning to move the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court's order to declare its elections null and void.
In case you didn’t know...
It all started with sports activist Rahul Mehra filing a PIL with the Delhi High Court last year, in which he pointed out how AIFF disregarded several provisions of the National Sports Code during the electoral process.
The Delhi High Court in response to the PIL gave its judgement by setting aside the election of AIFF president Praful Patel as it violated the National Sports Code. The court order also called for fresh elections within five months.
The heart of the matter
Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr SY Quraishi was appointed as the makeshift administrator of AIFF. The Delhi High Court also ordered for fresh elections within five months.
Alongside all these, the court barred the AIFF from making any financial commitment and instructed the daily expenses should also be approved by the administrator.
"AIFF understands that the Hon’ble court has to make certain corrections, after which the order would be made available to the parties. AIFF is not aware of the reasons of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court to pass this order. Once AIFF receives the copy of the Order from the Hon’ble High Court, AIFF will decide the course of action in accordance with the law," stated AIFF after the order was passed.
What next?
The AIFF isn’t ready to buckle down so easily as India plan to bid for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Delhi High Court’s decision might act as a major deterrent. The AIFF is said to be consulting a number of legal advisors after the Delhi HC judgement..
Author’s take
Along with Praful Patel, several other AIFF officials have been thrown out of power due to Delhi High Court’s decision and this was the only way left for Indian football’s governing body to avoid the ire of FIFA, which doesn’t recognise unelected bodies. It will be interesting to see whether Supreme Court toes the as Delhi High Court line or gives the judgement in favour of AIFF.
