FIFA revokes India's suspension | Victory for all football fans, says Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

FIFA on late Friday night lifted the suspension imposed on August 15 after the Supreme Court terminated the mandate of the Committee of Administrators (CoA)

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur termed FIFA’s lifting of India’s suspension as a “victory of all football fans” in the country after the global body had banned the country due to “undue influence from third parties“.

Mr. Thakur's Ministry did play an active role in co-ordinating with FIFA as the Supreme Court of India ended the tenure of Committee of Administrators (COA), which was primary requirement to lift the ban.

"Delighted to share the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided today to lift the suspension of the AIFF with immediate effect. The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place on 11-30 October 2022 will be held in India as planned! A victory for all football fans!" Sports Minister Thakur tweeted.

In a huge sigh of relief for all the stakeholders, India have now been cleared to host the Women's U-17 World Cup in October this year after the suspension cast serious doubts on whether the tournament could at all be hosted in the country.

The AIFF elections will now be held on September 2 with the legendary Bhaichung Bhutia and former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey set to have a straight fight for the post of president.

FIFA on late Friday night lifted the suspension imposed on August 15 after the Supreme Court terminated the mandate of the Committee of Administrators (CoA).

FIFA had then categorically said that the ban meant the U-17 Women's World Cup "cannot currently be held in India as planned." But things finally started to fall in place after the intervention of the Sports Ministry, which approached the apex court.