Why FIFA Banned The All India Football Federation & What It Means

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) found itself at the center of a storm in 2022 when FIFA imposed a ban on it due to instances of third-party interference in its day-to-day operations. The ban was a major blow to Indian football as India was due to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup later in the year and the ban would mean that the tournament would have to be shifted to a different host nation. However, the ban was eventually lifted after changes were made to the administrative hierarchy of the AIFF.

This article takes a look at the situation that led to the ban, its impact, and the future prospects for the AIFF and Indian football.

A list of dates and events has been included at the end of the article for easy reference of the timeline of events that occurred in this saga.

Table of Contents

• Background

• Impending Threat Of A Ban

• FIFA Ban On AIFF And What It Meant

• Relevant FIFA Provisions Related To The Ban

• Third Party Interference: Prior Instances Of FIFA Bans

• Lifting Of The Ban And What Followed

• Other instances of Court interference in sports governing bodies in India

• Conclusion

• Timeline of Events