The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by it to conduct “expeditiously” elections to the All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s “executive body” on August 28. The court also paved the way for player representation by incorporating 36 former eminent footballers in the general body along with an equal number of representatives from each state association for the polls.

The 36 players would include 24 male and 12 female footballers who had represented India at least in one international event and had retired from the sport two years prior to the ensuing elections.

Besides the 36 ex-footballers, the general body would comprise one representative each from the 36 state associations, a bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala said on Wednesday in a written order. India hosts the under17 Women’s World Cup in October.

The court said elections to the new body shall be held in accordance with the National Sports Code guidelines and Article 26 of the draft constitution prepared by the CoA, which, among other things, restricts the maximum tenure of an office-bearer to six years followed by a two-year cooling-off period.

The order further said: “The present body of AIFF will continue for three more months…” Justice Chandrachud, heading the bench, also brushed aside the opposition from the state associations to the inclusion of ex-footballers in the proposed general body. The apex court clarified that the present ruling is an interim arrangement until further orders without prejudicing the rights of any parties.

East Bengal begin practice today

With the East Bengal, Emami deal done and dusted, it’s time to get down to business. The red-and-gold brigade begins their practice session on Thursday.

Head coach Stephen Constantine, who is reaching the city on Thursday morning, will be at the ground. “Emami East Bengal is pleased to inform that our team’s first practice session will start from 3pm tomorrow, 4th August, 2022, at the Club grounds. Head coach Stephen Constantine is expected to be present,” a statement from the investor said on Wednesday.

The club also announced the signing of 13 Indian players. Forward VP Suhair, who was with NorthEast United Fc in the last ISL, goalkeeper Pawan Kumar, defender Ankit Mukherjee and Aniket Jadhav from Hyderabad FC are some of the names on the list. East Bengal begin their Durand Cup campaign against Indian Navy on August 22.