SC says CoA to cease to exist, postpones AIFF poll schedule by one week

The Supreme Court on Monday directed that the three-member Committee of Administrators appointed to oversee the affairs of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) should cease to exist.

The committee of administrators was headed by former apex court judge AR Dave. The top court said that it is modifying its earlier order to facilitate the holding of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup by India and revocation of suspension of AIFF by the International Football Federation (FIFA). A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna postponed the August 28 elections of the AIFF by one week to allow a changed electoral college and starting of the nomination process. The bench said the voter list for the AIFF polls would consist of 36 representatives of the State/UT member association of the football federation as is being sought by FIFA. The top court passed the order on an application filed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports seeking modifications of an earlier order in view of the discussions with FIFA. It said that Returning Officer Umesh Sinha and Assistant Returning Officer Tapas Bhattacharya appointed by CoA for AIFF polls will be deemed to be appointed by the top court. The bench further directed that the day-to-day management of AIFF be taken over by the acting secretary-general of the national football body. It said that the executive committee of AIFF will consist of 23 members, including six eminent players of which four will be men and two will be women. On August 17, the top court asked the Centre to take a ”pro-active” role in getting the world football governing body FIFA’s suspension of the AIFF lifted and facilitating the holding of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India. On August 16, in a major setback and embarrassment for the country, the world football governing body FIFA suspended India for ”undue influence from third parties” and said the U-17 Women’s World Cup ”cannot currently be held in India as planned.” The country is scheduled to host its first FIFA event from October 11-30.

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