France: FIFA has warned India's football association that "deviations" from a predetermined roadmap meant to address governance issues could result in both a loss of the upcoming Under-17 Women's World Cup and a ban.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was abolished by India's highest court in May. A three-member committee was then appointed to oversee the sport, amend the AIFF's constitution, and hold elections that had been postponed for 18 months.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA sent a delegation to meet with Indian football stakeholders in response. The delegation was led by AFC General Secretary Windsor John, and it laid out a timeline for the AIFF to amend its statutes by the end of July and to hold elections at the latest by September 15.
The Indian court ruled this week that elections must be held right away and that the chosen committee will serve as an interim body for three months.
FIFA and the AFC wrote in a letter that the AIFF was required, "as per the said roadmap, to call for a special general assembly on the first week of August 2022 to approve the new statutes worked upon with FIFA, the AFC, and the Indian football community."
We regret to inform you that the aforementioned roadmap allegedly changed as a result of yesterday's Supreme Court hearing on the AIFF situation.
"If this is believed to be true, it would unquestionably jeopardise the mutual understanding that has been shown thus far regarding the next steps."
The letter, which was seen by Reuters, was written to Sunando Dhar, the acting general secretary of the AIFF, and was signed by John and Fatma Samoura, the secretary general of FIFA.
It requested a transcript of the court's ruling from the Indian body by Tuesday.
FIFA issued a warning that sanctions could include "the suspension of the AIFF and the withdrawal of the hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in India [in October]" if serious deviations from the agreed-upon road map were discovered.
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