AIFF vs FSDL – AIFF FIFA Ban? The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is now in real trouble. Reliance-backed Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), who is AIFF’s marketing partner, has come down heavily on the national football body. FSDL has dragged them to the Supreme Court for disputable clauses in AIFF’s final draft constitution. With a long standoff looming large, a potential FIFA ban looks imminent on AIFF. Follow India football live updates with InsideSports.IN.
AIFF vs FSDL: FIFA BAN imminent as Reliance-backed FSDL drags AIFF to Supreme Court for ‘disregarding agreement’: Follow LIVE Updates
AIFF vs FSDL: FIFA BAN imminent as Reliance-backed FSDL drags AIFF to Supreme Court for ‘disregarding agreement’: Follow LIVE Updates
AIFF FIFA Ban? In fact, things have not been all good with the AIFF in the last three to four weeks. FIFA, the world football governing body, had warned about a possible ban if they fail to hold elections before September 15.
But they have also been asked to get their constitution ready by FIFA before July 31. That is why a final draft constitution was readied by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators. It had to prepare the draft as per the sports code and FIFA’s statutes.
But just a few days after draft, it has already bagged limelight for the wrong reasons. In the lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court, FSDL has said that the draft has totally disregarded and violated the 15-year agreement. FSDL entered into a commercial agreement back in 2010. The draft constitution of the AIFF, framed by the CoA, has been submitted to the Supreme Court for its approval.
The CoA has put in more than 150 hours of work & has spoken to all the AIFF’s stakeholders, considered suggestions forwarded by them.#IndianFootball
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 16, 2022
“The Applicant is constrained to approach this Hon’ble Court as certain exclusive rights and entitlements granted in favour of the Applicant under a long-term agreement, i.e., the Master Rights Agreement dated 09.12.2010 (“MRA”) executed in the year 2010 by the AIFF are being totally disregarded and violated by virtue of certain provisions contained in the proposed Constitution of the AIFF. Further the said provisions are also against the development and promotion of football in India,” a News9 report quoted the court filing.
AIFF vs FSDL: FIFA BAN imminent as Reliance-backed FSDL drags AIFF to Supreme Court for ‘disregarding agreement’: Follow LIVE Updates
AIFF vs FSDL: Why a FIFA ban is imminent on AIFF?
- FIFA set a September 15 deadline to conduct elections and remove CoA as the world body doesn’t permit any interference from the government.
- But the AIFF is currently being governed by a Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administration (CoA).
- That is why, the CoA was in hurry to get the draft approved by the Supreme Court with approval from all 36 state associations.
- Although CoA said it took into consideration the 15-year agreement with FSDL over ISL, the constitution draft had several contentious clauses.
- One of them is making I-League the country’s top division, reducing ISL to a mere privately held tournament.
- With those clauses in place, CoA sent the final constitution draft to FIFA three days before being handed over to the SC.
- It is supposed to be heard in the Supreme Court on July 21.
- But with FSDL filing a lawsuit against AIFF for disregarding its agreement, it is likely to delay the proceedings.
- FIFA also set a July 31 deadline for AIFF constitution approval and also set the deadline to conduct elections by September 15. Its failure will lead to ban, they said.
- The CoA was appointed by the Apex court mid-May and they have spent “150 long hours” to formulate the draft after speaking to the state associations among other stakeholders
AIFF vs FSDL: FIFA BAN imminent as Reliance-backed FSDL drags AIFF to Supreme Court for ‘disregarding agreement’: Follow LIVE Updates
This recent development has made matters complicated. Though the goal of sending the drafted constitution by July 31 was done, but one doubts if everything will be cleared on time.
It is not only the FSDL, who is unhappy with the final draft constitution. Even various state associations are unhappy with it. In fact, they have already written to FIFA, stating that the some of the clauses in the draft constitution are contradictory.
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