(Reuters) – Pakistan men’s and women’s national team players fear their careers could be jeopardized with the country’s football federation (PFF) staring at the FIFA ban after compulsory possession of its national headquarters in Lahore.
A group of football officials led by Ashfaq Hussain, elected by the Supreme Court in 2018 to run the PFF but not recognized by FIFA, took over the headquarters on Saturday and seized control from the FIFA Normalization Committee headed by Haroon Malik , local media reported.
Ashfaq refused to give up control despite a warning from FIFA, the governing body of world football, condemned the incident and said the federation could be disbanded “if the unlawful occupation of headquarters was not lifted” by 8pm on Wednesday.
The PFF did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. Pakistan frontman Kaleemullah Khan, who made his international debut in 2011, called on Ashfaq to give back control to the normalization committee and said the political turmoil could spell the end of many careers.
“This will damage Pakistan’s football image in the world,” Kaleemullah told Geo News. “The only party that loses is Pakistan footballers.
“There are thousands of players who have their bread and butter involved in this game; a ban would mean that these players will become unemployed and destroy their careers. ”
Pakistan women’s team midfielder Abiha Haider echoed Kaleemullah’s comments.
“I’m really sad and disappointed,” said Abiha. “The football pitch has made it a political hub, no one really cares about players and their hard work.
“This is shameful that we are about to be banned. We have so much uncertainty, I ask you all to have mercy on us, let’s play, please save football. ”
Hajra Khan, captain of Pakistan women’s team, voiced her concern about the damage caused to the sport in the country.
“We are about to be banned which means we will not be able to represent Pakistan internationally,” he said in a video statement.
“We have worked hard for years, we are disappointed. I just want to tell them that you respect the game and the players please. “