Praful Patel has no longer place in AIFF: Sports Ministry tells Supreme Court

Praful Patel now finally step down as president of the All India Football Federation? Last week, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) confirmed to the Supreme Court that Patel and his committee has no mandate to hold on to their offices. "It is submitted that as the term of the existing committee (of the AIFF) is already over, and the existing president (Praful Patel) has completed more than 12 years as president, the Petitioner (AIFF) should hold elections without further delay as per extant instructions contained under Sports Code and the instructions issued by the Answering Respondent (sports ministry) from time to time," the MYAS told the Supreme Court, responding to an April 8 affidavit, in relation to the Special Leave Petition filed by Rahul Mehra against the AIFF, in which the Union of India is a respondent.

The AIFF is also in danger of losing its recognition in the eyes of the government for not adhering to the sports code, the ministry added. Things have come to this pass for Patel and his panel, which has been putting off holding elections, last held on Dec 21, 2016 and due in December 2020.

When the time came, Patel, who has already completed three terms and 12 years as AIFF president, and his panel moved Supreme Court on the plea that elections cannot be held due suspension of its constitution. "As the last elections held by the petitioner was on 21.12.2016, as such the Petitioner is required to conduct fresh elections.

While recently the Answering Respondent renewed the Petitioner’s annual recognition for a year with effect from 23.10.2020, such recognition is subject to the outcome of the special leave petition pending before this honourable court," the ministry added. "Furthermore, the