June 24 – Indian football has been given a strict deadline to clean up by a joint FIFA/AFC delegation or run the risk of getting banned from the game.
On Thursday, the joint FIFA/AFC delegation led by Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John and FIFA’s chief member associations officer Kenny Jean-Marie wrapped up a three-day mission in India, demanding that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) get the constitution approved by July 31 as well as stage fresh elections by September 15.
The world federation implied that India will get banned if it doesn’t get its act together. In October, India is the host of the U-17 Women’s World Cup. Five years ago, the Indians hosted the men’s equivalent, welcoming a FIFA finals for the first time. India is also in the bidding race for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Last month, the country’s supreme court removed Praful Patel from the AIFF presidency after the governing body had failed to stage elections since 2020 and appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to run day-to-day affairs as well as finalize a new constitution and hold elections.
The FIFA-AFC delegation met with Patel, a FIFA Council member, Indian sports minister Anurag Thakur, Indian Super League organisers FSDL, AIFF representatives and other stakeholders.
“FIFA and the AFC will continue to monitor the situation in Indian football closely and will provide all support that the AIFF requires to bring itself in line with both the FIFA and AFC Statutes,” said the AFC in a statement.
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