The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
U-20 WC bid on, will meet new FIFA prez, says Patel
THE CHANGE of guard at football’s world governing body FIFA has temporarily halted India’s push for the under-20 World Cup, All India Football Federation Praful Patel said.
He insisted India is still keen to host the elite junior tournament to continue the momentum built by the under-17 World Cup, which will be hosted by six Indian cities next year.
However, with the new leadership at FIFA first trying to get its house in order, the allotment of tournament has taken a back seat for the time being. FIFA elected Gianni Infantino as the successor to Sepp Blatter last February, following a massive corruption scandal that saw several top football executives arrested.
The AIFF has expressed interest to bring the under-20 World Cup to India on several occasions. It was seen as a natural follow-up to next year’s under-17 World Cup, and even Blatter had supported India’s bid for the event. But the disgraced Swiss administrator’s suspension from FIFA and the subsequent election of Infantino to the top office has put the issue of choosing host countries for FIFA tournaments on the back burner.
Patel said he will seek a meeting with the new FIFA president soon and discuss the developmental plan for Indian football. FIFA had launched several projects in India during Blatter’s regime, with the under17 World Cup being one of the highlights.
In his first address after being elected FIFA president, Infantino had stressed on continuing with the developmental programme in India.
“There has been change at FIFA recently so these things are on the back burner now. If Mr Blatter was still there, then things would have moved forward and by now, we might have had some good news by now,” Patel said on the sidelines of an event co-hosted by the French embassy.
“But we have to wait now to let things take shape. I will meet the new FIFA president soon and then take things forward. We have to sustain the momentum of development which has started with the under-17 World Cup.”
The AIFF entered into a partnership with French second division club FC Metz on Wednesday which will see three India junior players — Anirudh Thapa, Prosenjit Chakraborty and Jerry Lalrinzuala — train with the club for an initial period of three months with an option of extending their stay.