During their recent World Summit in Bangkok, GAISF, Global Association of International Sports Federations (formerly SportAccord) apparently withdrew their suspension of the International Federation of American Football.
GAISF had previously suspended the International Federation of American Football for being delinquent on a total debt to the agency of almost USD 74,000 for anti-doping services rendered in 2016 and 2017. A total of 11 invoices had been issued.
In a series of letters, signed by Patrick Baumann, president of GAISF, the organization initially demanded payment for anti-doping services provided but ultimately announced on November 20 that IFAF had been suspended and that the IOC – International Olympic Committee – and WADA – World Anti-Doping Agency – were both copied on the letter.
The next step for GAISF, had the matter not been resolved before the General Assembly, would have been a member’s vote at the World Congress in Bangkok to expel IFAF. Had the members voted for expulsion, IFAF would have lost its IOC recognition which would have been a financial disaster for American football federations throughout the world. A common requirement in most countries for an international federation to receive government funding is membership in GAISF. If IFAF had been ousted from GAISF, that funding would have vanished.
The implications of expulsion from GAISF would have been wide ranging. Not only would government funding have disappeared, but the reputation of American football throughout the world would have suffered an almost irreparable blow.
Both IFAF and GAISF have been tight lipped about the reason for the withdrawal of the suspension but apparently, according to Baumann, IFAF has paid half of the amount due and further negotiations are underway. As he told Daniel Etchells of insidethegames.biz:
“…things are moving in the right direction and there is no need to take any drastic decisions.”
The SportAccord Summit in Bangkok was a huge affair attracting close to 1,900 delegates representing 831 sports organizations and 109 international federations from 84 countries.
About GAISF/SportAccord
Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF; previously SportAccord) is the umbrella organisation for all (Olympic and non-Olympic) international sports federations as well as organizers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations. GAISF is an international sport organization with 92 full members (international sports federations governing specific sports worldwide) and 17 associate members (organizations which conduct activities closely related to the international sports federations).