Former India footballers react to FIFA's ban on the AIFF

Former captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Tuesday termed the FIFAs decision to ban Indian football very harsh but in it also saw an opportunity to get the countrys sport in orderIndia was suspended by world governing body FIFA for undue influence from third parties the development jeopardising the countrys prospects of hosting the Under17 Womens World Cup scheduled from October 1130Very unfortunate that FIFA has banned Indian football and at the same time I feel its a very harsh decision of FIFA to ban Indian football Bhutia one of the sports icons in the country saidBut at the same time time I feel its a great opportunity for us to get our system right Its very important that all the stakeholders the federation the state associations to come together and get the system right and everybody work for the betterment of Indian football the Sikkimese sniper addedFIFA said the suspension was effective immediately and that the transgression constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA StatutesThis is the first time the All India Football Federation AIFF has been banned by FIFA in its 85 year historyThe AIFF ran into trouble after former president Praful Patel stayed in office beyond his term with the Supreme Court ruling it invalid and ousting him from the post The SC had placed the AIFF under a Committee of Administrators CoAA team of FIFAAFC had visited the country from June 21 to 23 after which the world body had set strict deadlines to approve the new constitution by July 31 and hold elections by Sept 15Also Read Premier League Nunez sees red as Liverpool draw 11 with Crystal PalaceFormer India star Shabbir Ali called it extremely unfortunate and a massive setback for Indian footballWhatever has happened is extremely unfortunate and it is a setback for Indian football That said I am hopeful that the suspension will be lifted sooner than later once the elections are held which FIFA has categorically mentioned as well he saidThe U17 Womens World Cup should be held in India and I am optimistic that things will fall in place and India wont be robbed off the showpiece event added the Dhyan Chand Awardee who was one of Indias best players in the 1970s and 80sThe FIFA though has not closed all options for India as it said it is in talks with the sports ministry and hopeful of a positive outcome regarding the womens age group showpiece eventFormer player Mehtab Hossain blamed those running football in the country for the setbackBoth the former officials and the CoA should be blamed squarely for this fiasco When FIFA instructed the officials to conduct an election as soon as possible and put the house in order what were we waiting for We took our own sweet time and now we have to pay the ultimate price Mehtab saidNeither the former bosses nor anyone from the CoA will suffer now Its the players fans who will be dealt with a severe blow Its a huge blow for Indian football he addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever