FIFA has suspended the All India Football Federation (AIFF) meaning India’s teams cannot play and the country cannot host the upcoming under-17 World Cup.

The governing body said it had taken the decision because of ‘undue influence from third parties’ which constituted a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes.

The news means that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, set to take place in India from 11-30 October 2022, cannot currently be held in the country as previously planned. 

FIFA said in a statement: “FIFA is assessing the next steps with regard to the tournament and will refer the matter to the Bureau of the Council if and when necessary. FIFA is in constant constructive contact with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India and is hopeful that a positive outcome to the case may still be achieved.”

The suspension will be lifted once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs.

In response, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) sent a team led by Windsor John – General Secretary of the latter – to meet Indian football stakeholders and laid down a roadmap for the AIFF to amend its statutes.

“The suspension will be lifted once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs,” added FIFA.

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