FIFA warns PFF of suspension over illegal possession of headquaters

Monitoring Desk

KARACHI: Football’s governing body FIFA has warned Syed Ashfaq-led group to return Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) headquarters to the Normalisation Committee (NC) after they forcefully took charge on Saturday afternoon.

FIFA can suspend PFF if the illegal possession of the headquarters, also known as ‘FIFA House’ is not lifted by Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 20:00 (Lahore time).

In case of non-compliance by the illegal occupants, “the matter shall be immediately submitted to the Bureau of the Council for decision, which might include the suspension of PFF on the basis of art. 16 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes,” FIFA said in an letter addressed to PFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Mr. Haroon Malik.
FIFA was disturbed with the happenings that took place at the PFF headquarters where reportedly NC Chairman Haroon and his men were tortured.

“While FIFA strongly condemns the incidents and considers such actions to be totally unacceptable, we would like to remind all relevant parties, in particular the individuals who invaded the PFF premises, that the Normalisation Committee of PFF, established by a decision of the Bureau of the Council and later ratified by the FIFA Council, and which is currently led by your person, is the sole executive body of PFF recognised by FIFA,” read the letter.

FIFA also informed that the meeting held on March 26 by certain members of the PFF and during which a decision was taken to hand over the leadership of the PFF to Syed Ashfaq Hussain holds no value and it will be considered an ‘undue interferance’ in the affairs of PFF.

FIFA further added that in case of suspension, PFF will lose all of its membership rights, as defined in art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes, with immediate effect and until further notice.

PFF’s national team or any other clubs won’t be allowed to participate in any international competitions. PFF and its members will also lose benefit from FIFA’s financial/development programmes.