The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Secretary Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi has termed Iran’s decision ‘most disappointing’ and termed its reason to skip the tournament as the weakest excuse for backing out two days before the event.
Uzbekistan pulled out of the event due to financial issues, while Kyrgyzstan failed to send their players due to their parents’ refusal. However, Iran’s excuse, which was based on ‘inconvenience’ that they would face while waiting for a connecting flight, has irked the PFF.
“Pakistan will not participate in any tournament in Iran,” Lodhi told The Express Tribune. “I’ve written a letter to the AFC and I’m expecting them to hand Iran a heavy penalty. We’ve always participated in tournaments in Iran.
“Last year we waited for 12 hours in Abu Dhabi but we never complained because we wanted to stick to our promise. However, what Iran has done is very unprofessional. They’re sending two of their referees to attend the under-14 festival referee workshops and not the team.”
According to Lodhi, the teams that refused to tour Pakistan will be questioned by the AFC. The festival, originally scheduled to feature six countries, is now taking place with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and two teams from Pakistan as the participants with the workshops having begun on April 5. The tournament starts on April 11.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2012.
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@malik You can refuse only after you are invited. At the moment there is none.
Teams are giving different excuses but the real reason is only one: no one wants to play in Pakistan. We also should refuse to play in these countries.
It isn't wise to withdraw so late but presence of Iran and Uzbekistan in such tournaments are unnecessary.It would be a similar case if Iran had invited teams with similar abilities + a world-class European like Germany to participate in a competition.
Moreover, I don't know who gave permission for these games to be played in Pakistan. Just look at the pitch on this photo, it's ridiculous.
Why would the Iranians play against weak opponents participating in this tournament. Iran is the only country from that region that has qualified to two World Cups and are clearly superior than Pakistan and the other countries in the tournament. They were too polite and did not state the obvious.
@jovi-India: India itself is a country full of terrorists. Peek inside before peeking outside :)
Parents’ refusal, we have a winner.