Pakistan inches closer to exiting football ban after FIFA members vote 195-4 in favour

Published March 31, 2022
The voting was held during the FIFA Congress at the Doha Exhibition and Cultural Centre, which will on Friday also hold the draw for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar. —AFP/File
The voting was held during the FIFA Congress at the Doha Exhibition and Cultural Centre, which will on Friday also hold the draw for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar. —AFP/File

An overwhelming majority of FIFA members on Thursday voted to allow the Council of the football’s world governing body to lift the ban on Pakistan once all requirements are fulfilled.

The voting was held during the FIFA Congress at the Doha Exhibition and Cultural Centre, which will on Friday also hold the draw for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar. The vote was 195 in favour to four against.

Pakistan was suspended by FIFA’s all-powerful Council in April last year after the Pakistan Football Federation Normalisation Committee (NC) was thrown out of office by a group of officials led by Ashfaq Hussain Shah, who was elected as president in an election of the PFF held by the Supreme Court in December 2018.

That election was not accepted by FIFA and in September 2019, the global football body appointed the NC for the PFF to hold fresh elections.

Ashfaq and his group of officials were described as “protestors” by FIFA at the Congress on Thursday. Pakistan’s ban was ratified at last year’s Congress.

Last month, the PFF NC was handed back control of the headquarters in Lahore after the government decided to unconditionally back it in an attempt to lift the suspension on Pakistan.

Thursday’s vote means that as soon as the NC regains control over the accounts, the suspension will be lifted by FIFA.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...