On August17, FIFA banned the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Nine days later, the ban was lifted. It may have been short – certainly compared to the 15 months that neighbouring Pakistan served before their punishment was lifted in July – but there were real worries that had it gone on any longer, it could have had a hugely negative impact on the game on the subcontinent.
It came, as it often does, because of “undue influence from third
