Supreme Court asks Centre to take proactive steps with FIFA to lift AIFF suspension, adjourns AIFF case till Monday

The Supreme Court earlier today asked the Centre to take efficient steps to ensure the holding of the under-17 Women’s World Cup in October and asked to take proactive steps to lift the ban on the AIFF. The apex court adjourned the hearing for August 22 after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre requested more time to negotiate with FIFA.

The matter was heard in the Supreme Court on Wednesday after which it directed the government to make all possible efforts to lift the ban and get the hosting of the Under-17 Women's World Cup back. The date of the next hearing has been fixed for August 22. The court, while hearing the petition of the central government, has asked the central government to increase activity to remove FIFA's ban on AIFF.

The Court said, "The main issue for us is that this event (U-17 Women's World Cup) should be organized in the country. This can be a very important competition in terms of the morale of the Under-17 players."

SG Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, tells SC that considering several factors about what can be done, yesterday the Centre took up the issue with FIFA, and Committee of Administrators also played a key role & there's some breaking of ice. After that, the apex Court adjourned for August 22 the issue relating to FIFA suspending All India Football Federation after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre requested the same.