The FIFA ban on India will be disastrous, according to Sunil Chhetri, who explains how it will harm Indian football.

A FIFA suspension on India in the context of the Supreme Court's decision to remove Praful Patel as AIFF president would be disastrous, according to Indian striker Sunil Chhetri on Friday. He also hinted to his retirement by claiming he is playing his "final games."

"Whatever happens on that front, I hope everything is under control and the nation does not receive a ban," the legendary India captain remarked, adding, "Since it would be terrible, not just for the whole country but for me, because I'm 37." I'm finishing up my games. You never know when there will be a final game for you."

"So yeah... When I saw the headlines, I was terrified; it impacts you. However, with my little understanding, when you step into it, you realise that it is not that scary and that things will settle down "Chhetri elaborated.
 

Patel was removed from his position as All India Football Federation President by the Supreme Court in a May 18 judgement. His third term was supposed to finish in December 2020, but he clung to a Supreme Court lawsuit, which had been ongoing since 2017, to prolong the term of his executive committee while refusing to hold elections until the Supreme Court resolved the matter of a new constitution.

There was anticipation that the Supreme Court decision may result in a FIFA suspension on India. A suspension might result in the country losing the privilege to host the Under-17 Women's World Cup in October.

Is Sunil Chhetri stepping down?
The 37-year-old Chhetri's retirement has been rumoured for some time, and he has stated on several times that his remarkable career would finish soon.

 

I can't offer you a figure for my retirement.'

In response to inquiries regarding his retirement, he stated, "The same question was posed before the previous Asia Cup (2019), 'what next?' and I responded the same thing." It's been five years. It's still the same. I was 32 at the time, and I'm now 37-38. I'm not sure, maybe."

"Right now, I'm having fun with it. I like running with Udanta (Singh), heading with (Sandesh) Jhingan, and scoring against Gurpreet. I'll be done the day I don't (like), but I can't tell you when.

"It's not easy getting up at 6 a.m. every day or doing a 30-minute yoga session before everyone else gets up." I lead a very, extremely rigid lifestyle. It's not simple to stick with it for 21 years."

Chhetri made his international debut after more than six months out due to injury during India's 0-2 loss to Jordan in Doha on May 29, their final warm-up game before the Asian Cup Qualifiers.