FIFA, the international football association, has banned India with immediate effect after citing ‘flagrant violations of its regulations. Until the ban is lifted, no Indian team can participate in any International or friendly competition. Moreover, the apex body has stripped the rights of India to host the Women’s Under 17 World Cup.
FIFA Banned India
The news has been confirmed by many:
This ban took away the chance of ATK Mohun Bagan to play in the semi-finals of the AFC Cup, Asian Football Federation, going to be held in September. Moreover, “Gokulam Kerala can’t represent India in next week’s Asian women’s club championships and India’s friendlies against Singapore and Vietnam scheduled next month to stand cancelled”, mentioned by Hindustantimes.
The ban by FIFA will be retained until the All India Football Federation (AIFF) gains control over all its affairs. Though it does not mean that domestic football matches can’t be played. The 131st Durand Cup, which declares the start of the Indian Season, will start in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The suspension letter which was signed by Fatma Samoura, General Secretary, FIFA, was sent to Sunando Dhar, Acting General Secretary for All India Football Federation (AIFF), on Tuesday. This is the first time, since 1937 when AIFF was formed, that it has been banned by FIFA.
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A Letter To AIFF
“The council has decided to suspend India on August 14”, the letter says.
“The Bureau further specified that the relevant suspension would mean that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022™ scheduled to take place in India on 11-30 October 2022 could not be held in India as planned and that the resulting next steps will continue to be assessed and referred to the Bureau… if and when necessary,” the letter said.
“As a consequence, and in accordance with article 13 of the FIFA Statutes, AIFF loses all its membership rights as of 14 August 2022until further notice. AIFF representatives and club teams are therefore no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted,” further notified.
