December 23 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has extended the terms of its executive committee until the supreme court delivers a ruling on both the framing of a new constitution and election process for the governing body. Current president Praful Patel has said that he will not contest future elections.
Patel has led Indian football since 2009, bringing two editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup to India and overseeing a fractured domestic football landscape, but according to the Indian sports code the president of a national sports federation can hold office for a maximum of three terms.
Earlier this week, new elections should have been front and centre of the AIFF’s AGM, but a resolution was passed during the virtual meeting to extend the term of the current executive committee until a pending case at the supreme court is resolved.
Last month, the AIFF moved an application before the supreme court, seeking continuation of its existing executive committee beyond its term on the ground that the court-appointed administrators are yet to frame a new constitution to conduct elections.
Patel said that he won’t stand in the future election, according to local media. He took over as full-time president in October 2009 before being re-elected for the top job in December 2012 and 2016.
The AGM was attended by officials from both FIFA and AFC. A FIFA spokesperson had earlier said that it expects the AIFF to fulfil its obligations under Article 14 of the statutes of the world body.
“FIFA is in contact with the AIFF in relation to the upcoming electoral process. While respecting the principle of autonomy, FIFA expects all its member associations to fulfil their obligations in line with article 14 of the FIFA Statutes,” said a FIFA spokesperson.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713854399labto1713854399ofdlr1713854399owedi1713854399sni@o1713854399fni1713854399
