FIFA Lifts Pakistan Ban After PFF Reforms

Following the effective constitutional changes, the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) on Sunday removed the suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

The specifics state that once the PFF adopted its suggested constitutional modifications in an Extraordinary Congress held in Lahore last week, the top football body lifted the suspension. Member of the PFF Normalisation Committee (NC) Shahid Khokhar verified the development and praised FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for their ongoing support of Pakistan football.

“The suspension ended after the PFF Congress meeting passed the amendments,” Khokhar remarked.

“The Pakistan Football Federation is thankful to FIFA and AFC for their ongoing support,” he said.

The Congress members agreed during the conference that embracing the FIFA-proposed changes would be in Pakistan football’s best interest since it would probably help to lift the ban imposed by the top body.

Especially, FIFA had conditioned the removal of the ban to the ratification of the PFF Constitution given by FIFA and the AFC, while announcing the suspension.

“Only subject to the PFF Congress approving the version of the PFF Constitution presented by FIFA and the AFC will the suspension be lifted,” the statement said.

The lifting of the ban might also open the path for the national football team to take part in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, set to start next month.

Recall that the AFC had advised that the Pakistan men’s national team would be deemed withdrew from the tournament should the suspension not be removed by March 4, three weeks before the opening game.