The threat of an international ban on Indian football is increasing. Global football governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have issued a stern warning to the crisis-ridden All India Football Federation, demanding that it adopt and ratify a new constitution by October 30.
Sports News: Indian football is once again facing the threat of an international ban. The global governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have warned the troubled All India Football Federation (AIFF) that it must adopt and ratify a new constitution by October 30. Failure to do so will risk India's suspension from all FIFA and AFC competitions.
In a letter sent to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey on Tuesday, the two organizations expressed serious concern over the federation's failure to finalize its constitution despite a Supreme Court case pending since 2017. The apex court will hear the case on Thursday.
What will the suspension mean?
If the AIFF is suspended, it will affect Indian football as a whole. This will mean:
- Banning the national team and clubs from all international competitions.
- Uncertainty over India's football bid for the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad.
- Serious impact on the careers and contracts of players and clubs.
FIFA and the AFC have instructed the Chaubey-led AIFF to obtain clear orders from the Supreme Court to approve the amended constitution, align it with FIFA and AFC rules, and formally ratify it at the next General Assembly. The letter states, "Failure to comply with this program will leave us with no option, including the possibility of suspension."
Ban has been imposed before
This is not the first time that Indian football has faced such international embarrassment. In August 2022, FIFA suspended India on charges of "third-party interference." At that time, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the Supreme Court was temporarily running the AIFF.
Fortunately, the suspension was lifted within two weeks of the elections and the dissolution of the CoA. In that election, Kalyan Chaubey defeated veteran footballer Bhaichung Bhutia. The FIFA-AFC letter states that the AIFF's constitutional failure has created legal uncertainties and administrative deadlock in Indian football.
