NEW DELHI: Questions around governance will never be too far away from Indian sporting bodies and so it is proving with the the All India Football Federation. A plea has been moved before the Supreme Court by AIFF president Praful Patel and the rest of the federation’s executive committee members seeking permission to continue in office until a pending case is adjudicated.
It is worth noting that in October 2017, the Delhi High Court had annulled the AIFF’s election process, stating that it was held without following the National Sports Code. The Supreme Court, shortly after, stayed the decision of the High Court but appointed a two-man committee to formulate a new AIFF constitution within eight weeks (emphasis pours) and then conduct elections. However, the court allowed the executive committee members to discharge their duties till then.
Former Indian goalkeeper and captain, Bhaskar Ganguly, and former Chief Election Commissioner of India, SY Qureshi, were the members of the court-appointed committee. However, as per Goal.com, the committee has not been able to come up with a new constitution as per the court order and has applied for an extension of the deadline numerous times, most recently on 7 February.
Patel has cited these circumstances to argue that he and the other EC members be allowed to continue in office. Perfectly justified one would think except that Qureshi has refuted the claims put forth by the AIFF chief in his plea before the apex court. India Football Federation that he had sought more time to prepare the draft constitution of the sports body, saying the document has already been submitted to the apex court.
Quraishi, however, has a different story to tell.
“It is completely wrong to say that we have not finalised the draft constitution. We have completed it in December 2019 and given to our lawyer who helped us out. He (the lawyer) has submitted it to the Supreme Court in January 2020 in a sealed cover as directed by the SC,” Quraishi told PTI.
“Many people know it and Bhaskar has gone home to Bengal as we have completed the task given to us by SC. We were to frame a constitution (of AIFF) in consonance with the letter and spirit of Sports Code.
“We have done that and our job is over,” the former Chief Election Commissioner, asserted to the newswire.
Taking Quraishi’s word for it, then on the point made by Patel that the committee had asked for yet another extension to its term, there is no basis. BUT, even if that be the case, what there is no getting away from is that no orders have been issued by the Supreme Court. So whether Quraishi has submitted his report or he has not, the “ball” lies with the Supreme Court, which has to either rule on the report submitted or give directions if an extension has been sought.
If the apex court does not issue any ruling (which in all likelihood will be the case), Patel will perforce continue in office.
21 state associations seek discussion on poll delay: Report
In a related development, Patel’s plea before the Supreme Court has drawn consternation.
Newsclick reports that 21 out of 36 state associations affiliated to the AIFF have separately written asking that at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for December 21, there should be a clear discussion on delay of the elections, and, if possible, a date should be fixed for them to be conducted.
Speaking to Newsclick, one State association secretary said, “This is nothing but a cheap trick to stick to power even though the term is over. Otherwise, why did they go to the Supreme Court only a month before the elections? This move should have been made six months ago. They want the elections to be delayed by hook or crook.
“Secondly, who and on what basis took the decision to approach the court? Did they take the approval of the Executive Committee or the general body?”
Admittedly, the affiliate units that have written the letters, are not sure what their next move should be in case the AIFF dismisses their plea.
“Well, let us see what happens and what they have to say in the AGM. We are confident good sense will prevail,” a state association secretary told Newsclick.
Related Report
Terms ending but Praful, AIFF EC set to continue in office
