India to host SAFF tournament, Sri Lanka excluded following FIFA ban

India has been awarded the hosting rights for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup, with Sri Lanka excluded from the regional tournament as a result of the ongoing FIFA ban. 

The 14th edition of the SAFF Cup will be held from June 30 to July 3, with Sri Lanka previously bidding to host the tournament, and since the decision on which country would stage it was announced on Thursday, India was awarded the rights. 

Sri Lanka is currently sanctioned by FIFA, who suspended the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) last month after it alleged that there was “third-party interference” in the administration of the game. 

Nepal also expressed interest in hosting the SAFF Cup, but India was awarded the tournament citing the better facilities it has in place. 

The tournament is likely to feature six nations only – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan, although their participation could also be questionable given the diplomatic tension between the two countries. (Susil Premalal)