Praful Patel has no mandate to continue, Sports Ministry tells SC

The AIFF President's third term ended in December 2020.

Praful Patel and his committee have no mandate to continue as the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as he has already completed three terms, the Sports Ministry has informed the Supreme Court. The ministry was responding to an affidavit from April 8, in relation to a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Rahul Mehra against the AIFF, in which the Union of India is a respondent.

“It is submitted that as the term of the existing committee (of the AIFF) is already over, and the existing president (Praful Patel) has completed more than 12 years as president, the petitioner (AIFF) should hold elections without further delay as per extant instructions contained under Sports Code and the instructions issued by the answering respondent (sports ministry) from time to time,” the affidavit from the ministry told the Supreme Court.

Patel completed his term in December 2020, after serving 12 years as the president of the AIFF, the maximum permitted to a national sports federation as per the Sports Code. However, when the time came for elections, the AIFF moved the Supreme Court on a plea that it cannot hold elections due to the suspension of its constitution.

The AIFF's constitution has been under scrutiny in the Supreme Court since 2017 and is yet to even be brought up for a hearing with the case still pending.

AIFF could lose government recognition as sports federation

The Sports Ministry in its affidavit also said that the AIFF could lose its government recognition for not adhering to the Sports Code.

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"As the last elections held by the petitioner was on 21.12.2016, as such the Petitioner is required to conduct fresh elections. While recently the Answering Respondent (sports ministry) renewed the Petitioner's (AIFF) annual recognition for a year with effect from 23.10.2020, such recognition is subject to the outcome of the special leave petition pending before this honourable court.

"Furthermore, the Answering Respondent (sports ministry) in their renewal letter dated 23.10.2020 has categorically stated that the Petitioner (AIFF) needs to bring their constitution in line with provisions of the Sports Code within six months from the date of issue of the letter," the ministry added.

“That thus the tenure of an office bearer of the Petitioner such as the president, who has al -ready served 12 years as president of AIFF, will be in violation of the Sports Code specifically clause 9.3 (iii) of the Sports Code…"

Later, the AIFF in a series of tweets said that it's ready to hold elections 'tomorrow' if the Supreme Court approves its constitution.

"We would be more than happy to hold the elections tomorrow if the SC approves our constitution," it said. "Already our constitution is in conformity with the National Sports Code adhering the age limit of 70 years and three tenures totalling 12 years.

"Our President Mr. Praful Patel has stated on several occasions including in the AGM of AIFF that he has completed his tenure and is not seeking re-election."

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