- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday (17) asked the Narendra Modi government to take “proactive steps” with International Football Federation (FIFA) or the football’s international governing body to ensure that the suspension imposed on the country’s football board is listed and India gets to host the Under-17 women’s world cup as scheduled in October.
A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud, AS Bopanna and JB Pardiwala adjourned the hearing in the matter related to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on the request of Indian solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government, as he said some talks were underway with FIFA.
The bench said in its order, “Solicitor General has informed the court that government of India is in active engagement with FIFA and stakeholders to ensure Under-17 World Cup in the country as planned. The meeting happened on Tuesday (16) and discussions are ongoing. We request the Centre (central government) to take proactive measures to ensure holding of Under-17 world cup and lift the suspension on AIFF so the objective is duly achieved.”
Mehta told the apex court at the outset of the hearing that the Modi government took up the issue with the world body over the suspension of AIFF.
“Yesterday itself government took it up as an issue. We had two meetings with FIFA. We have reached a stage. I must also say that the Committee of Administrators (CoA) has played a very constructive role. There is some breaking of the ice which has taken place. I am requesting if this can be kept on Monday (15),” Mehta said.
Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, the petitioner in the main case, told the bench that the entire event has been orchestrated by former AIFF president Praful Patel, who was ousted after the top court’s orders.
The government on Tuesday mentioned before the apex court the decision of the FIFA Council suspending the AIFF with immediate effect, which has stripped India’s right to host the women’s tournament, the first ever FIFA competition the Asian nation was set to host.
FIFA on Tuesday announced that it has decided to suspend the Indian board with immediate effect and the decision was taken unanimously by the Bureau of the FIFA Council due to “undue influence from third parties”, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA statutes.
In a press statement, FIFA said the suspension would be revoked once the order appointing the committee of administrators (CoA) to assume the powers of the AIFF executive committee is repealed.
The world body was reportedly concerned by a CoA appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the functioning of AIFF till a democratically elected executive committee is put in place.
[With ANI inputs]
