Threat of Fifa ban looms over India and Chhetri’s hopes of passing Messi

If Estonia had not conceded five goals to Lionel Messi this month, India’s legendary striker Sunil Chhetri would be second behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the highest active international goalscorers’ list. The 37-year-old has 84, two behind the Argentinian, after scoring four in the just-finished third round of qualification for the 2023 Asian Cup.

That haul helped India win all three games and stroll to a second successive appearance at the continent’s biggest event. Chhetri is a little concerned, however, that he may not be able to participate in the tournament – and not because there is currently no host after China relinquished those duties last month. The worry is that India may be hit with a Fifa ban.

“I hope everything will come out as good for the sport and the country does not get a ban,” Chhetri said this month. “The ban will be catastrophic not just for the whole country but for me, because I’m 37. You never know when there’s the last game for you.” After the captain said his piece, the national team coach, Igor Stimac, told those running the game in the country of 1.4 billion to “wake up”.

Although the national team are becoming regulars at the continental competition, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been in turmoil. Praful Patel replaced Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who had been in charge since 1988 but ended his tenure bed-ridden, as president in 2008. The rise of Patel, a Fifa Council member and Asian Football Confederation vice-president, in the football world has been smoother than India’s. During his tenure, the fortunes of the various national teams have fluctuated, facilities have improved but the domestic game is in flux because of restructuring, and the AIFF’s signing of a 15-year commercial