PFF denies charge of lobbying for AFC polls [The News]

PFF denies charge of lobbying for AFC polls [The News]

KARACHI: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Wednesday said it would support any candidate in the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) elections who has keen interest in the promotion and betterment of football in Asia.

In a statement, PFF said it considered it ethically wrong to manipulate the election process behind closed doors for serving its own interests.

It rubbished the news item published in a newspaper which said that the federation was involved in lobbying ahead of the elections.

“PFF unequivocally and categorically denies the quotes attributed to Col (Rtd) Ahmed Yar Lodhi, General Secretary of PFF. The General Secretary PFF maintains that that he was misquoted,” PFF said.

“PFF firmly stands for the FIFA Fair Play values on and off the pitch,” it said.

PFF said it believed in holding of free, fair and impartial elections at local and international levels.“PFF has always given unconditional support to those candidates at FIFA or AFC level who possess a concrete vision for the development of football in the world and specifically in Pakistan. We have very close, strong and friendly ties with AFC member associations and the governing authorities,” it added.

“The reflection of this good relation building can quite obviously be seen in the recent past events when a number of foreign teams have visited Pakistan despite the security threats,” PFF said.

“SAFF Women Championship held at Islamabad last year is a recent example of the excellent relations that PFF maintains with other member countries,” it said.