FIFA has suspended the All India Football Federation (AIFF), India’s official football governing body, citing “undue influence from third parties”.
This means that Indian football teams will be unable to compete in international matches. The decision also rules India out of hosting the 2022 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which is set to take place in the country from October 11 to October 30, 2022.
FIFA’s new move is a big blow to the growth of Indian football. The current ban may also affect the participation of Indian clubs in AFC Cup and AFC Champions League competitions.
According to the press release on FIFA’s website, the FIFA Council reached such a decision unanimously. “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once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs,” the statement added.