Sports Ministry vigilant on FFSL, after FIFA suspend India
The Ministry of Sports is looking seriously on the ‘overstaying’ Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) administration, perhaps after FIFA on Tuesday (16) imposed a ‘suspension’ on All-India Football Federation (AIFF) on grounds of similarity as their neighbouring islanders.
The tenure of the current FFSL administration ended on June 30, 2022 after they were elected for a period of one year from 2021. The term in office at FFSL usually comes effective for a period of four years, but with the pending constitutional amendments, which was initially highlighted by FIFA in early 2015, the elected office bearers were granted a period of one year in office, with their priority task being finalising the new constitution after completing the statutory review process and an electoral code as recommended by FIFA.
“Yes, there is an issue with the FFSL with regard to their upcoming election. They haven’t indicated anything whatsoever on the preparation from their end,” Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva, the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, told the Sunday Times.
“It’s a known fact that their term ended two months ago, and an extension was granted for two months, ending on August 31. Before this time ends FFSL should conduct their election, following the procedures. But we have no knowledge of any progress,” Dr. de Silva added.
As early as in April this year FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) sent an email to FFSL stating their requirements and inquiring on the progress of amending the existing constitution to meet the country’s national sports law as well as the requirements of the regional and global bodies. In the letter signed jointly by Kenny Jean-Marie, the Chief Member Associations Officer of FIFA and Vahid Kardany, the Deputy General Secretary, Member Associations of AFC, the current office bearers of FFSL has been instructed to act swiftly in completing the ‘statutory review process’, which should clearly indicate the new adoptions and amendments to the existing constitution of FFSL and the ‘electoral code’ which determines the conduct of the anticipated election AGM, which is now overdue by almost two months.
With just 10 more days before the deadline ends, FFSL has not come forward with any positive feedback as requested by the FIFA and AFC. Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, issuing a Special Gazette Notification, had already notified FFSL that its pending election AGM should be conducted on or before August 31, which is the similar cutoff date marked by FIFA.
“We are waiting for them (FFSL) to act. In the event they do not respond or fail to hold the election, we may have to take action based on an ongoing investigation and the report of the COPE Committee. We shall see how things work out,” Dr. de Silva explained on the possible repercussions FFSL could come across.
Issuing the ban on AIFF, FIFA highlighted ‘undue influence from third parties’ as the cause, which means India will not be able to host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled from October 11 to 30.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has unanimously decided to suspend the AIFF with immediate effect due to undue influence from third parties, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes. The suspension will be lifted once an order to set up a committee of administrators to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee has been repealed and the AIFF administration regains full control of the AIFF’s daily affairs,” the statement issued by FIFA said.
Chances are high on the possibility of FFSL receiving a similar notice from the highest authority of football on earth, as Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Sports too is looking at the matter in a more serious manner than they saw the issue.