Football: FIFA suspends Indian association

FIFA has suspended the Indian FA with immediate effect. It is now unclear what will happen to the U17 women’s World Cup planned for India.

According to the world association, the FIFA Council Committee unanimously approved the suspension on Monday (15.08.2022). FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the six presidents of the confederations, such as UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin, form the Council Committee. The reason for the drastic step is the improper influence of third parties, which represents a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes.

The Supreme Court dissolved the association

India’s highest court dissolved the AIFF in May. A three-person committee will now have the say, change the AIFF statutes and organize elections.

FIFA said that the suspension that has now been imposed will only be lifted once the court order to set up the new committee has been revoked “and the AIFF administration again holds the entire management of the AIFF”.

U17 World Cup “cannot currently take place as planned” in India

FIFA further announced that the U17 Women’s World Cup “currently not as planned” from 11th to 30th October 2022 in India: “FIFA is currently evaluating the next steps ahead of the tournament.” If the withdrawal were to last, the question would arise, in addition to the venue, which team would move up to the field for hosts India.

The tournament was already planned for the end of 2020 in India, but was canceled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. An initially planned move to spring 2021 also failed due to Corona, so India should now be the host again in 2022.

Germany in a group with Nigeria, Chile and New Zealand

The U17 World Cup actually takes place every two years with 16 teams. The German team was eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2016 and 2018. The German team has also qualified for the current tournament as one of three European countries and should play in a group with Nigeria, Chile and New Zealand.

The best placement of a DFB selection so far was in 2008 with third place.