Following the intervention of multiple forces, the Bureau of the FIFA Council decisively ordered the immediate suspension of soccer activities of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The performance of the Indian national team failed to meet expectations, and the Indian government subsequently imposed cuts on the annual budget of the Football Association and urged it to shift its focus to youth soccer infrastructure. In May of this year, the Supreme Court of India went a step further and dissolved the federation outright, creating a three-member administrative board to take charge of soccer affairs. After amending the FA's constitution and holding its first elections, the functions of the FA were essentially taken over completely, although the administrative committee continues to act in the name of the FA. This is contrary to FIFA rules prohibiting legal and political interference in member organizations.
In its announcement, FIFA made it clear that the ban will be lifted if India revokes the order to set up a management committee and allows the federation's management to regain full control over the day-to-day affairs of soccer.
The move has forced the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, scheduled to be held in India from October 11-30, 2022, to be put on hold. FIFA is in the process of evaluating the subsequent arrangements for the tournament and will bring it to the Bureau of the Council for discussion, if required. In the meantime, FIFA is in continuous communication with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India and expects a positive turnaround in the case.
