World football body to send fact-finding mission

KARACHI: FIFA is expected to send a fact-finding mission to Pakistan after its Member Associations Committee meeting which is scheduled to be held on April 3, a highly credible source told 'The News' on Tuesday.

According to the source, FIFA will send the mission after getting through the Supreme Court order which was forwarded to it by its recognised Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) a few days ago.

When this correspondent asked FIFA on Tuesday about it, it replied: "The situation of the PFF will be discussed at the upcoming FIFA Member Associations Committee meeting on 3 April." FIFA also said that it would be sending a joint FIFA-AFC delegation to Pakistan “shortly to assess the situation of the PFF in view of the developments that have occurred over the last months".

Luca Nicola, Head of Member Associations Governance Services, Secretary General Division, said in an email to newly-elected PFF vice president Sardar Naveed Haider Khan: "On that occasion, the delegation will meet with all relevant stakeholders and listen to their views. Consequently, we deem that the mission will be the right platform for engagement."