FIFA bans India for ‘third party influence’; strips U17 women's World Cup hosting rights 

New Delhi: In a major setback and embarrassment, world football governing body FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) Tuesday suspended India for “undue influence from third parties” and stripped the country of the right to host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup—scheduled for October. 

This is the first time that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been banned by FIFA in its 85-year history. 

The suspension means that India will not be able to host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup. 

FIFA said the suspension was effective immediately and that the transgression “constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes.”

The country was scheduled to host its first FIFA event from October 11-30.

As per an official statement, “The Bureau of the FIFA Council has unanimously decided to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect due to undue influence from third parties, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes”. 

The statement added, “The suspension will be lifted once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs”.

On May 18, the Supreme Court had ousted Praful Patel as AIFF president for not holding elections due in December 2020 and appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA), headed by former top court judge A.R. Dave, to manage the affairs of the AIFF.

The committee also had to frame its constitution in line with the National Sports Code and model guidelines. 

The football governing body, however, is not closing all options for India as it said it is in talks with the sports ministry and hopeful of a positive outcome regarding the women’s age group showpiece event. 

Founded in 1904 to provide unity among national soccer associations, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is arguably the most prestigious sports organization in the world.