Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia praised FIFA's decision to withdraw its ban on AIFF, calling it "excellent news." The U-17 Women's World Cup "cannot presently be hosted in India as planned," according to FIFA, which suspended AIFF on August 15 owing to "undue influence from third parties." The former captain of the national team declared, "It's time to overhaul the system," after the 11-day suspension.
"It's wonderful news. I welcome the decision of the FIFA to lift the suspension on AIFF. It's a win for Indian football, nothing else," he told PTI.
"I am extremely happy for our young players as they will now be able to play against the best in the business in their age group in the Women's U-17 World Cup."
The Committee of Administrators (CoA), which was established by the Supreme Court in May, had its authority revoked prior to the lifting of the ban. “The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue third-party influence. 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 said in its statement.
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