Karachi: A dark cloud of uncertainty reigned upon the skies in Karachi, as football in Pakistan suffered yet another setback in the shape of an attack on the FIFA- appointed PFF HQ in Karachi, Pakistan. Fans and experts of the sport predict a second suspension for the disgraced national football body.
‘Football fans across the nation are dismayed at how the events have unfolded, and can pessimistically foretell yet another suspension, by FIFA, on the already struggling football situation in Pakistan.’
A Closer Look: The unfortunate incident took place on Saturday, the 27th of March 2021. Chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee of the PFF, Haroon Malik, alleged that the attack was led by the former PFF President Ashfaq Hussain Shah, accompanied by other officials. According to reports, Malik reflected, “I was working at the office when a mob, organized by Shah, barged into my office and asked me to hand over charge of the PFF and all bank accounts”. Accounts of staff being physically harrassed and held hostage emerged, and fears of yet another suspension by FIFA readily mounted. Delving Into The Background: Ashfaq Hussain Shah was appointed president of the PFF in 2018,as a result of an election that FIFA deemed “non-transparent”. FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation refused to recognize the newly-appointed president, and ruled the court’s move as a “third-party interference, suspending the national football body and forming the Normalization Committee, chaired by Haroon Malik. The committee aimed to conduct completely transparent elections to appoint a new president, and tensions had been brewing between the Committee and Shah’s group due to the NC’s delay in doing so.
Absolutely disgusted at what is going on in PFF , They have made the beautiful game of football a Joke . @ImranKhanPTI I urge you to directly take over the PFF to help save Football in Pakistan.#Pakistan #Football #Sports
— Khurram Qureshi (@sportsfounder) March 28, 2021
The Situation Today: Football fans across the nation are dismayed at how the events have unfolded, and can pessimistically foretell yet another suspension, by FIFA, on the already struggling football situation in Pakistan. Committee chairman Haroon Malik has declared that FIFA is in the process of investigating the incident. This is a developing story.
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