SC directs election to be held expeditiously in AIFF, allows ex-players in management of sport

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Wednesday directed for holding of elections expeditiously to the executive committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as per the schedule proposed by the Committee of Administrators (CoA). It took note of the fact that from October 11, 2022, India is due to host the FIFA Under-17 Women world cup 2022.

The top court said that the Electoral College for the executive committee of AIFF would have representatives from 36 state associations and 36 representatives of eminent football players. It said that 36 representatives of eminent football players would consist of 24 members of male football players and 12 female players, who have played at least one international football match representing India and have retired from international tournaments two years prior to the date of notification of the elections.

The top court said that the national sports code cannot be read in a manner of the statute and a holistic understanding of its provisions has to be arrived at to effectuate its intent and purpose. "In this backdrop, consistent with the need for the healthy development of the sports of football in India, the inclusion of eminent players, who actually represented the country, would be of immense benefit for ensuring the growth of the sports in a healthy and orderly manner", it said.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and JB Pardiwala said that the elections shall be conducted in a manner consistent with Article 26 of the draft constitution which deals with the eligibility of the members of the executive body. The top court said that this will be an interim arrangement without any prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties and clarified that it is anticipated that the