Is Praful Patel the reason behind FIFA's ban on India?

The AIFF has been embroiled in major controversy bringing shame to the Indian football team. And former football chief and NCP leader Praful Patel could be one of the major reasons for the darkest time in Indian football history. 

 

The AIFF did not have a new president in 13 years as Praful Patel had completed three four-year terms. However, he was not eligible for being the president again as per laws laid down in the National Sports Code. He had long exceeded his tenure as AIFF President. In doing so, he had violated the National Sports Code, as per the Sports Ministry’s affidavit submitted in April.

 

 

So, the country’s apex football body was disbanded in May by the Supreme Court, which appointed a three-member committee of administrators to govern the sport, amend the AIFF constitution, and conduct elections pending for 18 months. A pending review of its proposed new constitution was needed because it was a key requirement for the prestigious tournament to be held in the country.

 

 

Patel, despite being ousted by the SC, allegedly held a meeting with 35 Intervening Member Associations on August 6, amid the continued threat of a ban on AIFF by the world football body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation on account of non-holding of the election. Notably, Patel is an executive council member of the FIFA and vice president of AFC.

 

 

After FIFA threatened to suspend the AIFF and strip off its rights to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in October due to a third-party “influence", the CoA had reassured that it is on course to set the AIFF in order, while slamming its ousted president Praful Patel for his references to the suspension of the national body.

 

The Supreme Court on August 11 had also warned the state football associations of "exercising its authority" if ousted AIFF chief and NCP leader Praful Patel attends their meetings and interferes with the administration of justice.

 

Due to all this chaos, FIFA, the governing body of world football banned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to “undue influence from third parties” banned AIFF. This is the first time in AIFF’s 85-year history that FIFA has banned the federation.

 

Nonetheless, the Supreme Court is also being blamed for the delays, and cooperation in introducing a new constitution and conducting elections for AIFF that has led to FIFA suspending it and stripping of conducting major tournaments in India. It has been interfering in each and every matter.