Football
PTI 2y

FIFA-AFC set deadline for AIFF constitution, elections for India to avoid ban

A visiting FIFA-AFC team have set deadlines for the Committee of Administrators (CoA) currently overseeing the operation of the AIFF, asking stakeholders to get the constitution of the national federation approved by July 31 and conduct elections by September 15, failing which the country could be banned by the world body.

On the conclusion of its three-day visit of the country, the team, led by Asian Football Confederation General Secretary Windsor John, made it clear that the deadlines will have to be followed strictly. A FIFA ban would mean the Women's U-17 World Cup, to be held in October, would be taken away from the country.

Last month, the Supreme Court ousted the Praful Patel-led dispensation in the AIFF and appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to frame a new constitution and hold elections for a new set of office bearers. The next date of hearing is July 21. Once the Supreme Court gives the green signal, the new constitution is expected to be approved within seven days.

Earlier, the state associations passed a resolution to call a Special General Body Meeting within seven days of approval by the SC. The meeting, attended by 35 state associations, also passed a resolution to hold the AIFF elections within 30 days of the approval of the constitution by the General Body, instead of 50 days.

On its part, the CoA will collect all the suggestions/submissions from the stakeholders by June 30, and it will prepare a draft constitution by July 7. The draft will be circulated to invite for objections so that the final proposed constitution will be ready by July 15.

The visiting team also met with representatives of I-League and ISL clubs, as well as ISL organisers, FSDL. It later had a meeting with all the stakeholders together. This was the second time the delegation met the CoA. On Wednesday, the visiting team met Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. On the first day of its visit, it met Patel, who is still remains a member of the FIFA Council.

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