A bitter tussle begins in Pakistan football

KARACHI: A bitter tussle has started in the country’s football as Ashfaq Hussain Shah-led Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has warned all those players who have not yet reported for the camp of strict action if they failed to report for the camp by Thursday (May 16) at Jinnah Stadium Islamabad.

The camp has been in operation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers first two-legged round against Cambodia.However it is clear that the same body is not recognised by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and cannot field team in the World Cup qualifiers. Moreover Ashfaq-led PFF also said that those players and officials who moved abroad without taking prior permission from the PFF would aso face strict disciplinary action as per the PFF code of conduct.

The players who have been warned include Bilawal-ur-Rehman (SSGC), Mehmood Khan (SSGC), Jalil (K-Electric), M Riaz (K-Electric), Ahsanullah (SSGC), M Bilal (Wapda), Umar Hayat (Wapda), Ahmed Faheem (Wapda), Ali Uzair (Wapda) and Mohammad Adil (KRL).

“You are once again reminded to direct your players to report in the camp before May 16, failing which the absent players will not be eligible to take part in any domestic activities,” the PFF said in a letter it addressed to departments on Tuesday. “Moreover any player or coach moving abroad without seeking permission/NOC from PFF, strict disciplinary action would be initiated against him as per PFF code of conduct and discipline,” the leter said.

“Your prompt reply and cooperation will be highly appreciated,” the letter, signed by the PFF acting secretary Col (retd) Farasat Ali, said. This is the second warning. Earlier these players had been given May 14 as deadline for report in the camp.

Following the disclosure that FIFA-recognised PFF was going to hold camp for the World Cup Qualifiers in Bahrain on Tuesday, Ashfaq-led body has expedited its efforts to issue warnings to those players and officials of departments who are expected to be part of the Bahrain camp.