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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
TNN

Talking to FIFA, hope U-17 Women's World Cup can be held in India: Centre to SC

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it is holding talks with FIFA officials to resolve the crisis arising from the international football body suspending the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and expressed hope the differences would be sorted out soon so that the country can host the U-17 Women's World Cup as scheduled this October.

Appearing before the court, which urged the Centre to "take a pro-active role" in the matter, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the Centre has taken up the issue and two meetings have already taken place with FIFA.

Make all efforts to host U-17 Women's WC: SC to govt

We have reached a particular point. Breaking of ice can take place. Our discussion is going on and everyone is on board," Mehta said while pleading the court to adjourn the hearing for Monday.

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra accused former AIFF chief Praful Patel of orchestrating the crisis and pleaded the court to restrain him from talking to FIFA officials. The court said the government might be aware about those who were behind it.

The SC bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, A S Bopanna and J B Pardiwala, said all efforts should be made to ensure that India's right to host the U-17 Women's World Cup should not be taken away and it should be held in the country. Mehta also agreed it was a matter of prestige for the country and all efforts would be made to resolve the issue.

"We would impress upon the Union of India to take a pro-active role in the matter so that the holding of the Under-17 World Cup and the lifting of the suspension of AIFF, in order to achieve that object, is duly facilitated," the bench said while posting the case for August 22.

As AIFF was not following sports code and there was allegation of mismanagement, the apex court had appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators(CoA), headed by former SC judge A R Dave, to manage the affairs of the Federation and for framing of its constitution in line with the National Sports Code and model guidelines.

Observing that the players must be given a say in administration of sports, the court on August 3 directed that interim executive committee for AIFF would be elected not only by 36 state federations but also by 36 eminent former football players.

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