Suspension of AIFF by FIFA

In a game of smoke and mirrors, FIFA’s decision to suspend the All India Football Federation (AIFF) could lead to an immediate crisis and the move could harm India’s long-term interests.

Why is it worrying?

• It is a matter of embarrassment that Indian football is staring at international isolation.
• It will also be a travesty if the players, coaches, referees and others involved in the sport suffer because of poor governance, which has led to the suspension.
• Steps should have been taken in time to ensure that the actions of an inept few do not affect the majority.

What is the issue?

• For months, the government, judiciary and administrators have been trying to work out a formula, including drafting of strict rules, to improve the governance of the AIFF.
• Many issues were ironed out but a big bone of contention, which apparently contributed to the suspension, was the inclusion of players in the AIFF decision-making process.
• The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators gave players a 50 per cent representation in AIFF’s executive committee as co-opted members, as against 25 per cent recommended by FIFA.
• The state associations, who form the AIFF, felt threatened that such a move would undermine them and opposed it.
• Almost immediately, FIFA stepped in by suspending the AIFF, citing third-party interference, and demanded the CoA be repealed.

What could have been done?

• For Indian football fans, it is hard not to feel let down by all parties involved. This was a chance for the AIFF, which has been ruled by two politicians for the last 34 years, to get its house in order by way of radical reforms.
• Barring a few, the state associations have remained dormant for decades. It can be argued that the CoA could have been more practical in its approach.
• And FIFA, instead of protecting its own, could have been sensitive to players’ interests.

Conclusion –

Indian football has a deep-rooted governance problem. It won’t be solved by a FIFA suspension.

Source – The Indian Express

QUESTION – The suspension of All India Football Federation by the FIFA is a reminder that Indian football has a deep-rooted governance problem. Discuss how it can be resolved now given that it has learnt the hard lesson.