Sad News For Football Lovers – FIFA Suspends Pakistan Federation With Immediate Effect

fifa suspends pakistan football federation

FIFA has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) due to third-party interference. It has also suspended the Chadian Football Association (FTFA) with immediate effect due to government interference. The soccer’s global governing body said on Wednesday.

A group of football officials led by Ashfaq Hussain. Supreme Court elected it in 2018 to run the PFF. However, FIFA never recognized it. It took over the headquarters recently and seized control from the FIFA Normalisation Committee. Haroon Malik was heading the committee, local media reported.

pakistan football sad news
Image: AFP

‘Hostile takeover’

FIFA said the “hostile takeover” prompted its decision to suspend the Pakistan Football Federation. It constituted a serious violation of its statutes.

“FIFA issued a letter warning that, should the illegitimate occupation of the PFF headquarters not be lifted and the office bearers recognised by FIFA not be permitted free access to the building to carry out their mandate, the matter would be immediately submitted to the Bureau of the Council for decision,” FIFA said.

“As the situation remains unchanged, the Bureau of the Council has decided to suspend the PFF.”

Pakistan was also suspended by FIFA for third party interference in 2017

fifa football
Image: Reuters

The Chadian Ministry of Youth and Sports had stripped the country’s FA of its powers on March 10. Following concerns over the way it was being run and a breakdown in communication.

Last month the country was disqualified from the Africa Cup of Nations. It was due to the Confederation of African Football.

Pakistanis love football and many support top global football clubs. We even have a Pakistani Football Anthem. However, sadly the sport has been widely neglected by the previous governments. It’s indeed a sad day for sports lovers.

Read More: 8 Pakistani National Footballers You Should Know About

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