‘Use FIFA ban to reform football system in India’

LOCAL OFFICIALS BLAMED FOR ‘HUGE BLOW’ AS BHUTIA CALLS FOR CHANGE

FORMER captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Tuesday (16) called FIFA’s decision to ban Indian football “very harsh”, but also saw an opportunity to get the country’s sport in order.

India was suspended by world governing body FIFA for “undue influence from third parties”. The development jeopardises the country’s prospects of hosting the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled from October 11-30.

“Very unfortunate that FIFA has banned Indian football, and at the same time, I feel it’s a very harsh decision of FIFA to ban Indian football,” Bhutia, one of the sport’s icons in the country, said.

“But at the same time time I feel it’s a great opportunity for us to get our system right. It’s very important that all the stakeholders – the federation, the state associations – to come together and get the system right and everybody work for the betterment of Indian football,” the Sikkim striker added.

FIFA said the suspension was effective immediately, and that the transgression constitutes a serious violation of its statutes.

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

The AIFF ran into trouble after former president Praful Patel stayed in office beyond his term, with the Supreme Court ruling it invalid and ousting him from the post. The court then placed the AIFF under a Committee of Administrators (CoA).

A team of FIFA-AFC had visited the country in June, after which the world body had set strict deadlines to approve the new constitution by July 31 and hold elections by September 15.

Former India star Shabbir Ali called it extremely unfortunate and a massive setback for Indian football.

“Whatever has happened is extremely unfortunate and it is a setback for Indian football. That said, I am hopeful that the suspension will be lifted sooner than later once the elections are held, which FIFA has categorically mentioned as well,” Ali said.

“The U-17 Women’s World Cup should be held in India. I am optimistic that things will fall in place and India won’t be robbed off the showpiece event,” added the Dhyan Chand award recipient, who was one of India’s best players in the 1970s and 80s.

FIFA, though, has not closed all options for India, saying it was in talks with the sports ministry and hopeful of a positive outcome regarding the women’s event.

Meanwhile, former player Mehtab Hossain blamed those running football in the country for the setback.

“Both the former officials and the CoA should be blamed squarely for this fiasco. When FIFA instructed the officials to conduct an election as soon as possible and put the house in order, what were we waiting for? We took our own sweet time and now we have to pay the ultimate price,” he said.

“Neither the former bosses nor anyone from the CoA will suffer now. It’s the players, and the fans who will be dealt a severe blow. It’s also a huge blow for Indian football,” Hossain added.