Sigh of relief as FIFA lifts Indian Football Federation suspension, U-17 World cup to hold as scheduled

FIFA has lifted its suspension on the All India Football Federation due to the undue influence of third parties.

The apex body confirmed the news on Friday evening (August 26). FIFA suspended AIFF on August 17 due to third-party interference. The Supreme Court had removed Praful Patel and appointed a Committee of Administrators to run AIFF. A week after suspending AIFF, FIFA has given a big relief to the Indian football fraternity.

The decision was made after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the administrators’ committee that was set up to take over the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had ended and that the AIFF administration had regained full control of affairs. As a result, AIFF is now allowed to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in October. AIFF will get its new president after the elections on September 2.

Football’s world governing body said in a statement:

“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue third-party influence.

The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the committee of administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated and that the AIFF administration had regained full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs. FIFA and the AFC will continue to monitor the situation and will support the AIFF in organising its elections promptly.”


Nigeria’s Under 17 women’s team, the Flamingoes is among the countries that will take part in the competition slated to hold in October.