AIFF The eminent Bhaichung Bhutia hailed the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the Committee of Administrators. He asked to “salvage” the U-17 Women’s World Cup and guarantee the lifting of India’s FIFA suspension on Monday. The Supreme Court amended its previous ruling to allow for the conduct of the women’s age-group showpiece in India in October. It also amended the reversal of FIFA’s suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Since the May 18 Supreme Court order, the CoA has been in charge of the AIFF’s business.
According to the Centre, Bhutia is a legend in football, similar to Sachin Tendulkar or Sunil Gavaskar in cricket. The government is considering giving him a bigger role in light of his contributions to Indian football. They will advise him that the position he is aiming for in the AIFF (President) may not be suitable given his status.
Bhutia, who filed a petition urging the adoption of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) draught constitution prepared by the CoA. He claimed that despite having played more than 100 international games for India over the course of ten years, he was unsure of his ability to manage the game in this nation given the current climate in the national football body.
The top court also requested that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports follow the law. They asked to submit the intermediate and final reports of the forensic audit of the AIFF. The reports revealed more extensive syphoning and defalcation of monies by the Praful Patel-led executive committee.
Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna, sitting as a bench, requested Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, to investigate the possibility of considering Bhutia for a post that would be appropriate given his standing in football administration.
Bhutia’s attorney, Raghenth Basant, stated that his main goal is to get rid of the entrenched interests that now exist in the nation’s football administration.
He said that despite FIFA’s protests and revisions being in the overall best interests of the game, the court must direct the execution of its proposed constitution. He was questioned by the bench over what would transpire if the court used its power and sacrificed the under-17 Women’s World Cup.
In spite of hosting the under-17 men’s world cup four years prior, India was still rated 104th globally, said Basant. In his appearance on behalf of CoA, senior attorney Gopal Sankaranarayanan stressed that the committee was adhering to the court’s order rather than trying to “cling” to the administration of AIFF.
Sankaranarayanan stated that reforms are required for the football administration. He informed the court that the CoA hired a private company for a forensic audit during this time. The company has provided an interim report, and it reveals widespread defalcation and fund syphoning by the previous management.
He said that a petition for contempt was still ongoing. He further said that the plaintiffs wished to prevent certain individuals from voting in the AIFF election.
Sankaranarayanan can send copies of the forensic audit to the court and to the ministry of youth affairs and sports.
The dissolution of the CoA might have an effect on other sports organisations according to senior attorney Rahul Mehra. He is the original petitioner before the Delhi High Court. This is because it would set a precedent.
Kapil Sibal spoke on behalf of former AIFF President Praful Patel. The senior attorney stated that Patel has no desire to assume any office within the national football organization.
“I don’t want any position in AIFF. I have brought the world cup to the country and I want it to be held”, Sibal said. According to Mehra, Patel also brought about the suspension of the AIFF.
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