football

Updated: Nov 04, 2017 11:35 IST

World football governing body FIFA has warned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that they are ‘obliged’ to conduct their affairs without third party interference.

FIFA sent a letter to the AIFF on Friday asking for more details vis-à-vis the Delhi High Court decision to set aside the election of Praful Patel-led office-bearers of the AIFF, held on December 20, 2016.

READ | AIFF administrator SY Qureshi vows to hold elections at the earliest

The Delhi High Court had further observed on October 31 that fresh elections be held within five months as AIFF had violated the Sports Code. The court also nominated former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi to take charge of the affairs of the country’s football body for the time being.

“We can confirm that FIFA has today sent a letter to the AIFF requesting more information about Delhi’s High Court decision as well as the steps that AIFF intends to undertake in this matter,” said a FIFA spokesperson.

“FIFA has also reminded the AIFF that in accordance with art. 14 par. 1 Iet. i) and art‚ 19 of the FIFA Statutes all member associations, including the AIFF, are obliged to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties.”

READ | ‘Election fixing’ returns to haunt Praful Patel’s All India Football Federation

AIFF received a copy of the order and are expected to decide on their future course of action early next week in consultation with their lawyers.

If the AIFF does not set its house in order, India could face sanctions from FIFA like Pakistan, Kuwait and Guatemala, who were suspended for third party interference.

Patel first became acting president of the AIFF for a one-year term after former president Priya Ranjan Das Munshi suffered a cardiac arrest in 2008. However, in October 2009, he became the full-time president and was re-elected in December 2012.

READ | AIFF to wait for detailed judgement on president elections before mulling action

Last year, he was again elected unanimously for a third term while Kushal Das was appointed as the general secretary. Then, Das had said that the elections were held as per the spirit of the Sports Code and the guidelines related to age and tenure had been complied with.

India recently hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup from October 6-28. England thrashed Spain 5-2 in final to win their maiden title.