Praful Patel has no longer place in AIFF: Sports Ministry

Praful Patel has no command to go on as All India Football Federation president as he has previously served three terms and the public body ought to hold elections right away, the Sports Ministry has informed the Supreme Court.

In a testimony to the Supreme Court on April 8 corresponding to a Special Leave Petition documented by the AIFF, the games service said Patel’s residency was infringing upon the Sports Code.

“The term of existing committee (of AIFF) is already over, and the existing president 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 from time to time,” the ministry’s affidavit said.

“That thus the tenure of an office bearer of the Petitioner, such as the president, who has already served 12 years as president of AIFF, will be in violation of the Sports Code, specifically clause 9.3 (iii) of the Sports Code read with the notification dated 01.05.2010.”

Patel finished his three terms and 12 years as AIFF president in December 2020, the maximum allowed to NSF chief under the Sports Code.

The AIFF, nonetheless, didn’t hold the elections, refering to a forthcoming request in the Supreme Court in regards to its constitution.

The AIFF moved an application in the Supreme Court just a month prior to its races were expected, looking for specific explanations on the situation with its constitution, which was under a magnifying glass in the Apex Court beginning around 2017. The case is as yet forthcoming.

In a progression of tweets, the AIFF said holding elections “tomorrow” on the off chance that the Supreme Court endorses its constitution’s prepared.

“As per the constitution of FIFA and AFC, it is mandatory to have an elected body representing the affairs of AIFF. “Otherwise AIFF will lose its affiliation with FIFA and AFC and will not be able to either participate or hold any international competition in India including the FIFA U-17 World Cup.” it said.