FIFA threatens PFF with ban if it holds election
FIFA says it will not accept PFF election under orders of Pakistan's Supreme Court, any such move can result in another suspension of PFF
December 05, 2018
KARACHI: FIFA, the world governing body for football, has once again threatened Pakistan Football Federation with a ban if it holds election this month following an order from Supreme Court of Pakistan.
A highly placed source in PFF confirmed that FIFA has sent a letter to the PFF’s secretary general asking him to inform its position about the situation of Pakistan Football Federation.
The letter from FIFA says that it will not accept the PFF election under the orders of Pakistan's Supreme Court and any such move can result in another suspension of the national football body.
According to the letter, FIFA states that the election is a contravention to its statutes with call for the matters to be held without any undue third-party interference.
“Court order seems to be incompatible with the decision taken by the FIFA Members Association Committee earlier this year,” the letter read.
It added that if election on the 12th is held under court orders, it would be considered as undue third-party influence.
“Consequently, the matter would then be presented to the relevant FIFA bodies for consideration and possible action which may include suspension of PFF,” the letter added.
In correspondence with Geo.tv, a FIFA spokesperson confirmed sending the letter to the PFF.
“FIFA has reminded the PFF about the FIFA Statutes (particularly article 14 par. 1 let I and article 19 par 1) according to which member associations are obliged to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties. Therefore should elections at the PFF take place on a date that is imposed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, this would be considered undue influence in the sense of the FIFA Statutes. Consequently, the matter would then be presented to the relevant FIFA bodies for consideration and possible action, which may include the suspension of the PFF,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had ordered fresh election in PFF and appointed an election commissioner for that matter who announced December 12 as the date for the election.
This will not be the first suspension of the PFF for the same reason.
In October 2017, the FIFA suspended PFF after a court-appointed administrator took over all the affairs of the national football body.
The ban was later removed in March 2018.
