Where did India's football administration go wrong? | In Focus podcast
On August 16, FIFA, world football\u2019s governing body, suspended India citing \u201cundue influence from third parties\u201d in the functioning of the All India Football Federation. This ban, if not lifted soon, could mean that India wouldn\u2019t be allowed to host the Under-17 Women\u2019s World Cup, which is scheduled for October this year.\nFIFA\u2019s statement also laid down two conditions for the lifting of the suspension: one, repeal of the Supreme Court\u2019s order mandating the setting up of the Committee of Administrators, or CoA, that is currently supervising AIFF\u2019s functioning, and two, the AIFF must regain full control of its daily affairs.\xa0\nThe government of India immediately requested the Supreme Court for an early hearing, and on August 17, the Court passed an order directing the government to work proactively with FIFA and ensure that the AIFF suspension is lifted and the Under-17 Women\u2019s World Cup takes place as scheduled.\xa0\nWhat sparked this suspension by FIFA? Why did the Supreme Court want a CoA to be set up to oversee reform of the AIFF? Does the current crisis represent an opportunity for India to fix football governance in the country?