COA, affiliated units meet to discuss way forward on AIFF's new constitution and elections

FIFA and AFC Statutes. Attending the meeting were the Supreme Court-appointed CoA head -- former top court judge Anil R Dave -- his colleagues in the committee -- former chief election commissioner Dr. SY Quraishi and ex-India skipper Bhaskar Ganguly -- and representatives from Bengal (Indian Football Association), Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat and Mizoram.

Quraishi could not attend the meeting in person as he was not keeping well, but followed the proceedings virtually. Entrepreneur Ranjit Bajaj, who owns the Delhi Football Club, was also present at the Football House as one of the petitioners, something that did not go down well with a top AIFF office-bearer. It was Bajaj's club that had filed an application in the SC, alleging illegal continuation of the Praful Patel-led executive committee despite its term expiring in December 2020.

"I was there as one of the petitioners. It was my club -- Delhi Football Club -- that had filed an application in the SC. It was an interception petition, which was heard in the court and Patel was finally removed.

"I am assisting the COA in a ex-officio capacity," Bajaj told PTI. Quraishi had said that a newly-elected body of the AIFF should be in place by September end and a modified constitution will be submitted to the Supreme Court by July 15. The Supreme Court had on May 18 appointed a three-member CoA to manage the affairs of the AIFF and form its constitution in line with the National Sports Code and model guidelines.