Hong Kong Asian Cup opponents India could face second Fifa ban in 3 years

India could be banned from world football for the second time in three years after Fifa and the Asian governing body demanded it implement a new constitution by October 30 or risk suspension.

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World governing body Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) sent a joint letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey expressing “profound concern” at the continued failure to finalise and adopt the constitution.

“Failure to meet this schedule will leave us with no alternative but to refer the matter to the relevant Fifa decision-making body for consideration and decision,” said the letter, seen by AFP.

“AIFF must regard this communication as binding and requiring immediate compliance in order to safeguard its rights as a member of Fifa and the AFC,” it added.

The AIFF constitution has been before India’s Supreme Court awaiting a decision since 2017.

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A suspension would mean India’s national teams and clubs were barred from all international competitions.

Hong Kong and India have been drawn in the same Asian Cup qualifying group, with the hosts winning 1-0 at Kai Tak Stadium in their first meeting in June and the return set for March 31.

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