March 23 – The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) which was readmitted to full FIFA membership March 16, has been given a $300,000 grant by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to renovate its damaged headquarters in Lahore.
The PFF had been under the control of a court-appointed administrator since August 2015 when a Lahore court ruled that Faisal Saleh Hayat’s election as PFF president was illegal. The court stripped him of his power and took control of the PFF and its headquarters, effectively ending all official football (though clubs have continue to play throughout the country).
FIFA banned the PFF for political interference but lifted that ban after the Lahore High Court upheld Hayat’s election and returned control to the PFF body.
On return to their headquarters the PFF claimed that they were no longer fit for purpose and needed renovation.
In a press release that shows the scars and ill-feeling still run deep, the PFF said: “The AFC sanctioned US dollars 300,000 on the request of the PFF for repair and reconstruction of the PFF House Lahore, which had been badly damaged during three years of illegal occupation…The AFC also approved another infrastructure project for the PFF within the current cycle.”
Pakistani football is riven by divisions and inequities within its stakeholders. Scrutiny will not be closely focussed on Hayat both internally and externally to ensure the money ois used for football purpose as the game gets back on its official feet in the country.
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