PFF Cup continues despite threats of disciplinary action

Sides claim no ‘unauthorised tournament’ has been specified

KARACHI: Despite threats of disciplinary action against them from Sindh Football Association (SFA) president Khadim Ali Shah, teams and departments continued to compete at the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Cup on Friday in Karachi.

The PFF Cup is being organised by Lahore High Court (LHC)-appointed administrator Asad Munir. It is a decision that has been welcomed by local players and clubs alike, especially considering the cancellation of the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) and PFF Division B League due to the ongoing power struggle between two groups claiming to be the rightful PFF office-bearers.

Khadim, who supports the Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat group, had issued a letter to the teams last week, warning them to not to compete at ‘an unauthorised tournament’, stating that participating clubs will be ‘taken to task and served disciplinary actions’.



However, PPFL club KPT manager Shah Naeem believes that SFA’s warning is not specific. “We want to play football and we will be taking our team to Lahore to compete in the second round of the tournament,” Naeem told The Express Tribune.

The KPT manager added that the letter does not specify any tournament. “We are also hosting matches at the KPT Stadium,” he said. “A warning letter was issued but they haven’t mentioned any tournament. We are competing because the administrator is appointed by the LHC and it’s high time that football returned to the country.”

Meanwhile, tournament director Rauf Bari said only division B teams Social Welfare Trust and Hazara Coal Company withdrew their participation.



In Friday fixtures, Karachi United FC defeated Gwadar Port Authority 4-1 at the KPT Stadium.

At the KMC Ground, Sindh Police defeated Sindh Government Press (SGP) 2-0.

The match between PTV and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Company was postponed due to rain in Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th,  2016.

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