Shashwati Chowdhury
Published on: August 23, 2022 at 19:09 IST
The Supreme Court passed a directive on Monday to terminate the mandate of the Committee of Administrators (COA), which the Court had tasked to manage the affairs of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). This was a significant development for Indian football.
The FIFA’s decision to suspend AIFF was taken into consideration by the court as it made its decision to issue this order, which construed the CoA’s functioning as a third-party interference.
For the purpose of facilitating the revocation of the AIFF suspension and ensuring that India can host the Under-17 women’s World Cup in October 2022 as planned, the Court modified the earlier directives relating to the COA and the elections of the AIFF.
The Supreme Court was requested by the Central Government to seek the Court’s constituted Committee of administrators (COA) for the All India Football Federation’s management in order to lift the ban imposed by FIFA.
Following the negotiations with the FIFA that ended last week, the Centre made this request to the Court.
Then certain directions were given to change the earlier orders by a Bench comprising of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna.
The suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) by FIFA, according to the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, will have two “disastrous” effects: first, India will lose its chance to host the Under-17 women’s world cup tournament scheduled for October 2022, and second, Indian players won’t be able to compete in international tournaments.
SG further submitted that the FIFA’s treatment of India was examined. However, it was discovered that FIFA adheres to this unified policy prohibiting “third party interferences” globally.
Bhaichung Bhutia, a former captain of the Indian football team, submitted an intervention application to the Supreme Court in support of the COA proposal to grant prominent athletes 50% representation in the electoral college.
The Supreme Court issued its orders in the All India Football Federation vs. Delhi High Court appeal, which was brought by Senior Advocate Rahul Mehta in an effort to have the sports organisation reconstituted in accordance with the National Sports Code and democratic elections.