The top football governing body on Friday lifted the sanction against AIFF which it had levied on grounds of ‘third party involvement’ which was the violation of norms set by FIFA. The move meant India could not proceed with its participation in the upcoming U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 in October.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue third-party influence,” FIFA wrote in its official release. “The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the committee of administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated and that the AIFF administration had regained full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.”
It further added that it would monitor the situation and support AIFF in organizings elections. The statement concluded confirming the U-17 event will be held as per the schedule.
India in October is scheduled to hold the U-17 Womens World Cup from 11-30 October 2022.
On Tuesday, the AIFF had requested the FIFA to lift the ban imposed on it following Supreme Court’s decision to terminate the mandate of Committee of Administrators. FIFA had on 15th August suspended the AIFF for “undue influence from third parties” and had said the U-17 Women’s World Cup “cannot currently be held in India as planned”.