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In the story, an AIFF official said on condition of anonymity, “12 state associations have protested to Patel’s nomination. They had sent blank nominations in anticipation that they would be elected by the president. But those who did not, have straight away protested. This has left the house divided.”
As per the AIFF, the quotes used in the story stay baseless and seem to be told to the news agency by any individual who seems to have vested interests against the federation.
The AGM and the Elections held on December 20, 2012, were conducted in the presence of Ms Radhica Sreeman, Observer on behalf of the Government of India (also the Regional Director, SAI); P.C. Makholia on behalf of the Sports Authority of India; Mun Si Song, representative Asian Football Confederation and Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, FIFA Regional Developmental Officer, South and Central Asia.
The elections were held in the spirit of the Indian Sports Code with Justice S.K. Agarwal, a retired Judge of the Delhi High Court, the Returning Officer; while FIFA Consultant on Women’s football Monika Staab was also present on the occasion.
Praful Patel was unanimously elected as the President of the AIFF on the day and there wasn’t any ‘objection’ by a single State Association Member, leave aside ‘twelve’ as mentioned in the news report.
The AIFF enjoys full support of all State Associations across the country and denies any such ‘division’ mentioned in the report.
