AIFF to take further action after court's detailed judgment on president election

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday said that it will wait for a detailed copy of the Delhi High Court's order which set aside the election of Praful Patel as the president of the governing body, before deciding on further course of action.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court on set aside the election of Praful Patel as the president of the AIFF and directed for fresh elections for the governing body within next five months.

In a statement, AIFF said, "AIFF is not aware of the reasons of the Delhi High Court to pass this order. Once AIFF receives the copy of the Order from the High Court, AIFF will decide the course of action in accordance with the law."

The Court called for fresh elections asserting that National Sports Code was not followed during previous AIFF elections.

Meanwhile, former Chief Election Commissioner S. Y. Quraishi has been made appointed the administrator of the governing body.

The AIFF statement which was issued hours after the Delhi High Court's decision read that the Court has directed to amend the AIFF Constitution to make it compliant with the National Sports Code.

"Earlier, the Court vide its order dated December15 had observed that the election ought to be conducted as per the applicable rules of the institution concerned and also in consonance with the National Sports Code and the elections guidelines contained with respect to conduct and eligibility conditions including age, tenure and restrictions. That the Court further vide the same order restrained AIFF from completing its election scheduled for December 21," it further said.

The statement informed that the AIFF had approached the Court and filed a detailed affidavit to bring on record that it has followed the election process as prescribed under Sports Code, its constitution as well FIFA and AFC statutes.

"AIFF also apprised the Court that the constitution of AIFF is in compliance with the terms of age limit, tenure limit of prime office bearers and one state-one vote policy. Accordingly, the Court allowed AIFF to proceed with elections on December 20," it said.

It further read the football governing body has conducted its election under the supervision of a retired High Court Judge, who acted as the Returning Officer and its election process is as per the FIFA and AFC statutes as well.

The statement said, "AIFF is fully compliant with all statutory regulations in terms of the Registrar of Societies Act as well as other notifications and orders of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.