The order was issued to make it easier for FIFA to lift its suspension of AIFF and to protect India’s reputation as the host nation of the under-17 world cup
On Monday, the Supreme Court granted the Central Government’s appeal to postpone the elections to choose the Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
A Bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud ordered that The daily operations of the AIFF should for the time being be administered by the secretary general of the AIFF, who has already been chosen by the 36 State associations.
The Court made it clear that once the Secretary-General assumes control of the AIFF, the Committee of Administrators (COA), which is now in charge, will no longer exist.
The judgment was passed to make it easier for Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to lift its suspension of AIFF and to protect India’s reputation as the host nation of the under-17 world cup.
As a result, the Court issued the following instructions:
– The election date may be extended by a period of one week without changing the election schedule that was set in accordance with the order dated August 3, 2022. The modality changes from the stage the elections had already reached should be made by the returning officials;
– Representatives from 36 State associations will be on the voter list for the upcoming election;
– The chosen returning officers shall be regarded as chosen by this Court. Since none of the parties involved in this dispute have raised a complaint against them,
– The Secretary-General will be the only person to handle the day-to-day operations of the AIFF. CoA will dissolve once Secretary-General assumes control;
– The draft Constitution and the tabulations have already been submitted by CoA for implementation. We ask Samar Bansal and Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan to serve as Amicus Curiae for us in this case.
– There will be 23 members on the EC of AIFF (17 including the treasurer, will be elected by a 36-member electoral college); (6 members shall be drawn from eminent players).
When the case came up for court on Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Central government, suggested that the elections, which were scheduled for August 28, be postponed by one week so that new nominations could be presented.
Additionally, it was stated that the Central government is actively working with FIFA to find a way out of the deadlock created by the suspension of the AIFF.
Baichung Bhutia, a former captain of the Indian football team, also contacted the court through an intervention plea to support the Supreme Court’s proposed changes to the way the AIFF elections are conducted.
After hearing all parties, the Court issued orders to ensure that the AIFF’s suspension is lifted so that the much-needed improvements to Indian football are not derailed by the suspension or other threats from FIFA.
