FIFA Ban: Supreme Court wants the government to work on lifting AIFF suspension

After FIFA banned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for ‘undue influence from third parties’, the Supreme Court on Wednesday told the government to work on lifting the suspension imposed by football's governing body.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that the government has already held talks with FIFA following the suspension.

The Supreme Court also stated that India should have the benefit of hosting the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup and asked the Centre to take pro active role to hold the event as scheduled in October. If the ban stays, India will be stripped of the hosting rights.

The centre told the court that it had held two meetings with FIFA on Tuesday after it suspended the Indian federation. The matter has been adjourned until Monday, August 22.

This is in fact, the first time that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been banned by FIFA in its 85-year-old history.

Also read: IOA in danger of being suspended after AIFF, Delhi High Court's 3-member committee takes over