FIFA-AFC Decide to Ban AIFF, what should be our Response?
Apart from the U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled in October this year, which could be shifted if the ban is imposed, the senior men’s team Blue may also miss the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, for which they qualified in June this year
The international football federation (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have decided to go ahead and ban the All India, Football Federation (AIFF). It could have an adverse effect on the country’s football, bringing to a grinding halt all international activities.
The “ infuriated almighty “ FIFA has issued the ban because the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday directed the executive committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to expeditiously hold elections as per the schedule proposed by the Committee of Administrators (CoA), which is currently running the affairs of the national federation.
Sports should be above politics but not above the law of the land. Thus this is a direct attack on India’s sovereignty by such sporting organizations in name of Sport. They are challenging that the Supreme Court if India cannot intervene in their matters.
We Indians cannot and should not take such things lying down any more. To strike back, BCCI needs to first work out our own Calendar for cricket in various formats both at National level and international level to exactly match all the FIFA schedules. This will certainly cause a huge loss of revenue to FIFA in various cricket loving countries in the world.
In fact just a Indo Pak cricket or hockey match is enough to wean away every one in South Asia from any football match even if it is between Brazil and Italy. Apart from this Govt of India should official ban any FIFA Sponsored football event from being telecast in India. Yes, this has to be done because our Supreme Court cannot be insulted by any Country or international organization.
FIFA cannot dictate things to 140 Crores Indians. We will see who blinks first.
Charismatic India striker Sunil Chhetri was apprehensive of such a ban imposed in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling to oust Praful Patel as AIFF president. It may be bad for Indian football. However it is akin to Western sanctions imposed on India in the aftermath of the 1998 Nuclear tests.
“No matter what is happening on that front, I hope it (crisis) is under control and the country does not get a ban,” the iconic India captain had said, adding, “that will be catastrophic, not just for the whole country but for me, because I’m 37. I’m playing my last games. You know when there’s a last game for you,” he said.
Apart from the U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled in October this year, which could be shifted because of the ban imposed, the Men in Blue will also miss the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, for which they qualified in June this year.
To add to that, clubs like ATK Mohun Bagan, who are currently playing in the AFC Cup, the women’s team of Gokulam FC, which has qualified for the AFC women’s club championship, will also be barred from participation. The January window for the recruitment of foreign players will also be shut for Indian teams, meaning no new overseas recruitments can be made.
Qualified referees and match commissioners will also miss out on FIFA-AFC.
Notwithstanding all the bans, the AIFF in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports should just ignore FIFA and concentrate on how to improve the game of soccer in the Country. Just as the Country started rising in World affairs both economically and militarily after the Nuclear tests, so will our football progress after this FIFA dictat.
