MARGAO
The FIFA ban on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was lifted by football's global governing body on Friday. It came as welcome news for the Asian country's fast-growing football following.FIFA had originally placed a ban on the AIFF earlier this month due to undue third-party interference. However, the global organisation released a statement on its official website detailing why it has reversed the ban. A section of the statement about their decision read: "The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the committee of administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated and that the AIFF administration had regained full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs."
FIFA's announcement expectedly brought about happy reactions from the Indian football community.
"The black hour of Indian Football is finally over. I am very much thankful to Sports Ministry for taking the initiative and trying to accept the proposal. This is arguably the biggest positive to emerge from FIFA's decision to rescind the ban on the country. Fans will now hope for the AIFF to get its act together and hold elections as we are less than two months away from the first match of the U-17 Women's World Cup," said Antonio Pango, Senior Vice president of Goa Football Association (GFA).
"Once the Government moved the Supreme Court, it was a foregone conclusion that the ban would be lifted. Lifting of the ban is on expected lines and is welcome by the Indian football fraternity. The only positive from the ban is that the whole country is speaking about football. Let the cleansing process of AIFF go on and let the associations also be brought under sports code to prevent situations such as arbitrary continuation in office of the president and executive members of the GFA as is happening now," added Elvis Gomes, Former President of GFA.
"Very happy to hear FIFA lift the ban but it was a learning experience for our country and hope we do not repeat such mistakes," said Alvito D Cunha, former India midfielder.
"The AIFF, FIFA & AFC have worked together proactively to find a solution, every individual involved in the industry is happy and grateful. The country deserves to move forward and reach new heights with each passing day. From here, we all, at all levels should just be focused, do what we have to do right every day to lead, inspire and help people around us," said Anju Turambekar, Technical Director of South United FC/AFC.
"I hope the new regime that will be elected shortly, takes the affairs of running football in the country in the correct direction, appointing deserving coaches and officials at all levels," said Clifford Miranda, Assistant Coach of Odisha FC.
Shabbir Ali who has captained India and also coached the Indian team has a different take: “I do not blame FIFA for taking this action. But in every case, there are two sides to the issue. If a body is not holding elections when elections are due, should not FIFA issue a warning immediately? FIFA delayed its decision till the court-appointed officials took over. A timely warning from FIFA may have brought about timely elections and this ban may have been avoided."
"I am really happy that FIFA lifted the ban on AIFF and termed it a victory for football fans. Now it is a wake-up call for the Federation to run the administration transparently," said Mahesh Gawli, ex-India defender.
"Finally, the day came with joy as their plans worked well with the intervention of Sports Ministry and Supreme court. Politics is for politicians and sport is for sportsmen," said Climax Lawrence, who has played for Salgaocar, Dempo, East Bengal and Mahindra United.
