KOLKATA: The AIFF follows the National Sports Code and there is no harm if an influential politican like Praful Patel is heading the parent body of football, feels association's senior Vice President Subrata Dutta.
Dutta was asked a specific question with regards to Justice Lodha Committee's recommendations for BCCI which bars ministers and government servants from holding office-bearer's post.
"We follow the rules laid down in the 'National Sports Code' The former treasurer had to step out as a he had crossed the age of 70. A new treasurer was appointed in his place. In case of political personalities holding posts in sports bodies, you have to understand that if he does justice to the sports he is associated with then there is no problem in it," Dutta told PTI when his views were sought on Supreme Court appointed committee's far-reaching recommendations.
"The president of AIFF is Praful Patel. He helps in so many ways such as liaison with the government, talking to top sponsors, talking to ministers, helping in getting visas for players. So these are certain jobs which can only be done with someone who is from the politics and from the government. So there is no problem if a politician holding a post in sports body is doing justice to it," Dutta said.