India Loses Hosting Rights To Women's Football U-17 World Cup As FIFA Suspends AIFF

FIFA Suspends AIFF: International Federation of Association Football suspended All India Football Federation because of which India lost the hosting rights of Women's Football U-17 World Cup that was scheduled in October 2022. The decision allegedly comes in view of the influence of third parties in the body's decision making process.

Trouble for Indian football  rose as India's official football association AIFF was suspended by the international football association FIFA on August 16. The step was taken by the association due to the increased influence of third parties, the Supreme Court in this case, within the decisions and affairs of AIFF. While the step may come as a setback for the Indian players, a major blow was the suspension of India from hosting Women's Football U-17 World Cup which was all set to be held from October 11-30 in 2022.

FIFA Suspends AIFF, India Can't Host Women's Football U-17 World Cup 2022

In its official statement regarding the suspension, FIFA reportedly said that AIFF constantly violated its rules and regulation. FIFA said, "The suspension means that the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in India on 11-30 October 2022, cannot currently be held in India as planned. FIFA is assessing the next steps with regard to the tournament and will refer the matter to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary"

Supreme Court suspended Parful Patel from his position of AIFF president back in May 2022 after he failed to hold election that were due in December 2020 and took control of the matters through a self-appointed Committee of Administrators. This is against FIFA's rules as it does not allow government or court interference in its matters but India was given a leverage and the association was allegedly in contact with the Indian sports ministry. The association seeks suspension of CoA and AIFF administrative body to gain the control of the association's affairs.

Women's Football U-17 World Cup would have been India's second FIFA tournament as host after 2017's U-17 Men's World Cup. The World Cup was to be held in Bhubaneswar, Navi Mumbai and Margao and the tickets for the same were made available from August 5.

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