The visiting FIFA-AFC team set deadlines on Thursday to clean up the mess of Indian football, and asked stakeholders to approve the national federation’s constitution by July 31 and conduct elections by September 15, otherwise the country by the world can be banned body. At the end of its three-day visit to the country, the team, led by Asian Football Association Secretary General Windsor John, made it clear that deadlines must be strictly adhered to. A FIFA ban would mean taking the U-17 Women’s World Cup, to be held in October, out of the country.
“The joint FIFA-AFC team has made it clear that the deadlines must be strictly adhered to. If not, the country can be suspended and the U-17 Women’s World Cup taken,” a top source, who has been informed of the discussions, PTI told on condition of anonymity.
“FIFA wants the new office holders to have enough time to prepare for the U-17 Women’s World Cup, hence the September 15 election deadline, so that the elected office holders can take charge by September 20.
“Now the ball is in the CoA’s court to help get the AIFF’s new constitution approved by July 31. The state associations have also pledged all possible assistance.” Last month, the Supreme Court overturned the Praful Patel-led dispensation in the AIFF and appointed a three-member Committee of Trustees (CoA) to draft a new constitution and hold elections for a new set of office holders.
The next date or hearing is July 21 (although it is scheduled to be July 23). Once the Supreme Court gives the green signal, the new constitution is expected to be approved within seven days.
The state associations passed a resolution in the morning to convene a special general assembly within seven days of SC approval.
“We have passed a resolution to convene a general assembly within seven days of the constitution’s adoption. Ultimately, the general assembly will have to approve the new constitution, otherwise it (constitution) is not a valid document,” says a state. said the official of the association.
“After that, we have to send it to FIFA for final approval.” The meeting, attended by 35 state associations, also passed a resolution to hold the AIFF elections within 30 days of the General Body’s approval of the constitution, instead of 50 days.
“We had to pass the resolution to hold elections within 30 days because of the short timeline. If we set 50 days, it will be difficult to hold elections on September 15,” the state official said.
For its part, the CoA will collect all suggestions/submissions from the stakeholders by June 30 and prepare a draft constitution by July 7. July 15.
“The CoA believes that if the objections are filed later, there could be delays and it could be difficult to meet the deadlines.” The visiting team met the representatives of the I-League and ISL clubs. It also met the ISL organizers FSDL. After that, a meeting was held with all stakeholders. It was the second time that the delegation met the CoA.
promoted
In the meeting with I-League clubs, a participant suggested that the ISL should start its own promotion and relegation from this season.
On Wednesday, the visiting team met Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. On the first day of his visit, it met Patel, who is also a member of the powerful FIFA council.
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