SC hearing in AIFF: Centre to salvage hosting rights of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

The central government filed a petition before the Supreme Court on Sunday, pleading for an end to the “mandate” of the Committee of Administrators (CoA), as sought by the international governing body, in a desperate attempt to get the FIFA ban on AIFF lifted. One may see the sports ministry’s action, which came a day […]

The central government filed a petition before the Supreme Court on Sunday, pleading for an end to the “mandate” of the Committee of Administrators (CoA), as sought by the international governing body, in a desperate attempt to get the FIFA ban on AIFF lifted.

One may see the sports ministry’s action, which came a day before an important hearing of the top court, as an effort to save the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which is slated to take place in October.

Due to “third party meddling,” the international body had on August 15 banned the All India Football Federation (AIFF), stating that the women’s age-group championship “cannot now be staged in India as scheduled.”

In its application, the government has essentially conceded to all of FIFA’s requests, including eliminating the appointment of the CoA by the SC and prohibiting the participation of individual electors.

However, it stated that the Praful Patel-led administration, which was overthrown, should not participate in the AIFF.

The application stated that “this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to… direct that the CoA will not have any role in the administration of AIFF from 22.08.2022, and that the day-to-day management of AIFF shall be looked after by the AIFF administration led by the acting Secretary General to the exclusion of the earlier elected body.”

“… to compel that the CoA present the final draught constitution to this Honourable Court by the end of August 23, 2022, and that the CoA’s mandate be considered to be completely over as of August 23, 2022.” The FIFA stated in a statement that the full revocation of the CoA’s mandate must take place before easing the ban on AIFF. The AIFF management should “be totally in command of the AIFF’s everyday business,” according to FIFA.

According to the global organisation, the AIFF general assembly should nominate a “independent electoral committee to oversee the election of a new executive committee.”

Seven hopefuls, including the illustrious Bhaichung Bhutia, have submitted their nominations for the position of president; however, the returning officer rejected two of them on Sunday after the proposer and seconder claimed they had not signed any candidate’s nomination papers.

If the SC accepts one of the government’s arguments—that prominent players cannot serve as individual members of the electoral college—it might cast doubt on Bhutia’s candidacy because he was both recommended and supported by notable players.

“The process of election may need to be started ‘de novo’ due to the suggested changes to the electoral college,” the government’s petition stated. “The change in the voters list may affect the validity of some of the nomination forms which may have been proposed/seconded by the player members who are now prayed for being excluded from the voters’ list.”

One of the government’s arguments, that eminent players shouldn’t be allowed to serve as individual members of the electoral college, if adopted by the SC, might cast doubt on Bhutia’s candidacy because he has been both sponsored and seconded by notable players.

Since the change in the voters list may affect the validity of some of the nomination forms that may have been proposed/seconded by the player members who are now praying to be excluded from the voters’ list, the government’s plea stated that the electoral college process may need to be restarted “de novo” as a result of the proposed changes.

“Four males and two women will be among the six prominent payers. The eminent actors may be nominated (co-opted) into the EC and will have voting privileges there, making them around 25% of the EC’s representation. The government stated that the issue facing the nation is “acute and it is of the utmost importance that India does not lose its right to host the prestigious FIFA Under-17 Women World Cup, 2022, nor are the outstanding football players of the nation (regardless of age group) deprived of participating in international competitions.

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