The sports ministry on Sunday moved an application in the Supreme Court seeking an end to the “mandate” of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) as asked by Fifa.
The move, a day before a crucial hearing of the top court, is being seen as an attempt to salvage October’s Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, a candidate for the president’s post in the federation’s August 28 elections, also filed an application which says “Fifa, state associations or third party with vested interests” should not be permitted to scuttle the ongoing election process. “...FIFA itself has attempted to delay the timeline imposed by it on AIFF, as per which, elections were to conclude by September 2022,” the plea stated.
On August 15, Fifa imposed a ban on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to “third party interference” and said the Under-17 showpiece “cannot currently be held as planned”.
The government, in its application, has virtually accepted all the demands made by Fifa, including ending the tenure of the CoA as well as not allowing individual members in the electoral college.
“...Day-to-day management of AIFF shall be looked after by the AIFF administration led by the acting Secretary General to the exclusion of the earlier elected body and the CoA will have no role in the administration of AIFFfrom 22.08.2022.”
“... Because of the suggested changes in the electoral college, the process of election may be required to be started ‘de novo’ since the change in the voters’ list may affect the validity of some of the nomination forms...” the application read.
The nominations of Manvendra Singh and ValankaAlemao (both president), Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Deepak Sharma and Mohammed Shahid (ex-co members) have been rejected by the returning officer for the elections due to signature faux pas. There are now five names for president, six for treasurer and 11 for the executive committee.