Indian football legend Baichung Bhutia calls for 'changes in system' after FIFA lifts ban on AIFF

New Delhi: “It’s time to change the system,” said Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia on Saturday after world football governing body FIFA lifted the ban imposed on the AIFF .

The lifting of the ban on All India Football Federation (AIFF) late on Friday after the Supreme Court terminated the mandate of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) has cleared the decks for India to host the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup in October.

“It’s a wonderful news. I welcome the decision of the FIFA to lift the suspension on AIFF. It’s a win for Indian football, nothing else,” Bhutia told PTI.

“I am extremely happy for our young players as they will now be able to play against the best in the business in their age group in the Women’s U-17 World Cup.”

FIFA had suspended the AIFF on 15 August for “undue influence from third parties” and had said the U-17 Women’s World Cup “cannot currently be held in India as planned.”

The suspension, the first time in AIFF’s 85-year history, lasted just 11 days after the Supreme Court on Monday dissolved the three-member CoA, constituted by it in May, while modifying its earlier orders to ensure that India hosts the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup from 11-30 October.

The 45-year-old Bhutia, who has also filed nomination papers for the post of AIFF president in the 2 September elections, said it’s time to bring changes in the country’s football administration to avoid another suspension in future.

“It’s also the time to learn lessons and bring in changes and reforms in the Indian football administration. We need changes in the system,” said former captain Bhutia who was the first Indian to have played 100 matches for the country before his retirement in 2011.

“I feel Indian football can reach new heights if we have the right system, right personnel in the administration. I am of the opinion that our age group as well as senior teams can reach the World Cups on merit in the coming years.”

Bhutia, who was conferred with the AFC Hall of Fame Award in 2019 for his contribution to Indian football during his 16-year-long illustrious career, is set to face a straight fight against former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey for the AIFF president’s post.

Victory for all football fans: Anurag Thakur

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur termed FIFA’s lifting of India’s suspension as a “victory of all football fans” in the country after the global body had banned the country due to “undue influence from third parties.

Thakur’s ministry did play an active role in co-ordinating with FIFA as the Supreme Court of India ended the tenure of Committee of Administrators (COA), which was primary requirement to lift the ban.

“Delighted to share the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided today to lift the suspension of the AIFF with immediate effect. The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 will be held in India as planned! A victory for all football fans!” sports minister Thakur tweeted.

Delighted to share the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided today to lift the suspension of the AIFF with immediate effect.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 will be held in India as planned !

A victory for all football ⚽️ fans!

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 26, 2022

In a huge sigh of relief for all the stakeholders, India have now been cleared to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in October this year after the suspension cast serious doubts on whether the tournament could at all be hosted in the country.

The AIFF elections will now be held on 2 September with the legendary Bhutia and former goalkeeper Chaubey set to have a straight fight for the post of president.

Things had finally started to fall in place after the intervention of the Sports Ministry, which approached the apex court.

The suspension was lifted after the Supreme Court on Monday dissolved the three-member CoA, constituted by it in May, while modifying its earlier orders to ensure that India hosts the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup from 11-30 October.

“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue third-party influence,” the FIFA said in a statement.

“The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the committee of administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated and that the AIFF administration had regained full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.

“As a consequence, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 will be held in India as planned.”

FIFA said it and the AFC will continue to monitor the situation and will support the AIFF in conducting its elections in a timely manner.

AIFF acting general secretary Sunando Dhar welcomed the move and thanked FIFA, AFC and Thakur for their roles in lifting the ban.

“The darkest hour of Indian Football is finally over. The suspension that was slapped on midnight of August 15 on the AIFF, has been lifted by FIFA.

“We sincerely thank FIFA and AFC, especially the AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John for guiding us in such difficult times. We also take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Hon’ble Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur ji for solidly standing by us at this crucial juncture,” Dhar said.

On Tuesday, Dhar had requested FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura to “reconsider their decision of suspending the AIFF”.

“It is with immense pleasure that we inform you that the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India took up our matter and vide order dated 22.08.2022 was pleased to pass directions regarding the full repeal of the CoA mandate and consequently the AIFF having full charge of the AIFF’s daily affairs,” Dhar wrote in the letter.

“In view of the above, we request the FIFA and especially the Bureau to reconsider their decision of suspending the AlFF.

“Since the conditions set out in your Letter for lifting of the suspension stand satisfied, we request that a order to that effect be passed at the earliest for the AIFF to continue with the smooth running of football in India,” the letter further stated.

Also Read: AIFF ‘sorry’ for Gokulam Kerala’s exit from AFC competition after FIFA ban lifted

The CoA, headed by former Supreme Court judge AR Dave, had been overseeing the affairs of the AIFF since the 18 May order of the top court, which ousted Praful Patel as the president of the federation. The other two members of the CoA are former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi and ex-Indian football team captain Bhaskar Ganguly.

“The day-to-day management of AIFF shall be exclusively looked after by the AIFF Administration led by the Acting Secretary General. The mandate of the Committee of Administrators appointed by the order of this Court stands terminated,” the SC said in its verdict on Monday.

The top court also postponed the 28 August elections of the AIFF by one week to allow a changed electoral college and the start of the nomination process.

The order came on a fresh plea filed by the Sports Ministry seeking modification of the 18 May and 3 August orders of the court after consultation with the FIFA.

Read all the  Latest News ,  Trending News ,  Cricket News ,  Bollywood News , India News  and  Entertainment News  here. Follow us on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram .