FIFA Set to Lift Pakistan Ban After Reforms

Since the governing body of Pakistan adopted the suggested constitutional changes on Thursday, the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) is probably going to remove the suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

In an Extraordinary Congress assembled here under the presidency of PFF President and Chairman of the Normalization Committee (NC), the newly elected Congress of the federation adopted FIFA’s proposed constitutional amendments, according a statement issued by the PFF. The Congress members agreed in the meeting that embracing the FIFA-proposed changes would be in Pakistan football’s best advantage since it will probably help to lift the ban imposed by the top body earlier this month.

Especially, FIFA has uplifted the suspension under acceptance of the PFF Constitution submitted by FIFA and the AFC, even 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 possible removal of the suspension might also open the path for the national football team to take part in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Qualifiers, set to start next month.

Top FIFA and AFC officials including Deputy General Secretary AFC Vahid Kardany, Head of MA Governance FIFA Rolf Tanner and Head of South Asia Unit AFC Purushottam Kattel, together with NC members Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar and Haris Azmat, attended the high-profile Congress meeting.

Kardany, AFC Deputy General Secretary, commended Congress members’ dedication to carry out necessary reforms in Pakistani football. He also mentioned the part the Normalization Committee has in helping the process.