Fifa officially lifted the suspension of the Indian Football Federation (AIFF). Why were FIFA sanctions against India lifted quickly, when Indonesia long?

FIFA condemned the AIFF on August 15. Third party intervention in the Indian Football Federation was the reason FIFA suspended the AIFF.

However, FIFA’s punishment for the AIFF was less than two weeks as it only lasted 11 days. This enabled the Indian national team to return to action on the international stage in a short time.

Problem solving cannot be separated from the rapid reaction of policy makers in India. After being sanctioned by FIFA on August 15, India’s Supreme Court immediately scheduled an emergency hearing on August 17 as the first step in dealing with the FIFA sanctions.

FIFA sanctions are considered serious business. Hence, the Supreme Court of India stepped in to resolve the issue.

The Supreme Court of India is trying to rectify the issue after it was found to have interfered in the formation of the Committee of Trustees (CoA) as the acting director of AIFF.

The Indian Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) is also trying to establish communication with FIFA to find a solution. Then India’s Ministry of Youth and Sports asked the Supreme Court of India to dissolve the CoA and postpone the election of the AIFF board, seen as the root of the problem.

The Supreme Court of India then dissolved the CoA on Monday (22/8) and restored the full role of the AIFF. The news of the dissolution of the CoA was also forwarded to FIFA for consideration of the cancellation of the sanctions.

FIFA finally granted India’s request and at the same time lifted the suspension of the AIFF on Friday (26/8) local time. India can again appear in international football.

Besides, India will also be able to host the U-17 World Cup 2022 which is scheduled for October 11-30.

India is not the only country sanctioned by FIFA. Previously, there was Indonesia which received a sanction from FIFA on May 30, 2015.

The reason why FIFA suspended the PSSI at that time was similar to that of India, namely due to third party intervention in this matter, the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports. FIFA considers that the Ministry of Youth and Sports is interfering in the affairs of the football federation.

During the suspension imposed by FIFA, the Indonesian national team was banned from participating in international matches organized by FIFA and the AFC. Everything is done so that Indonesia is not punished.

On June 1, 2015, the Indonesian Football Governance Reform Transition Team was formed initially. However, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and PSSI are still arguing, taking the dispute to court.

It was not until December 2015 that the ad hoc football reform team was formed with the approval of FIFA. Then, in February 2016, the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla, Menpora Imam Nahrawi and the ad hoc committee Agum Gumelar first lifted the suspension of PSSI by the government.

On May 3, 2016, up to 20 representatives of PSSI vote owners came to the PSSI office to demand an Extraordinary Congress (KLB). Then on May 10, the Ministry of Youth and Sports lifted the suspension of PSSI.

Finally, Indonesia was released from sanctions on May 13, 2016. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that FIFA officially lifted the sanctions ahead of the FIFA Congress in Mexico City.

(ikh/ptr)