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Footballer Hajra Khan appeals to Imran Khan to do something about FIFA ban

Footballer Hajra Khan appeals to Imran Khan to do something about FIFA ban

The national women's team captain said athletes have nowhere to go.
Updated 09 Apr, 2021

Hajra Khan, the Pakistan women's national football team captain, is disheartened by the Pakistan Football Federation's (PFF) recent suspension by FIFA due to third-party interference. In a video posted on social media, the captain was visibly distraught with the recent updates. This is the second such suspension for the nation's football governing body in the last four years.

Khan felt "embarrassed and ashamed" by the news.

"Today I speak in utmost sadness. PFF was banned by FIFA today for the second time in the last five years," she said.

Speaking on behalf of herself and other footballers in Pakistan she said, "We have worked hard, with blood and sweat, to represent this country. We have taken it to the podium, we have won championships in the past. Where do we go next? Which sport do we switch to?"

She also made an appeal to President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. "There is still hope and we do expect a response from you two," she said.

"We do expect the country to back us when we need them the most right now," Khan continued. "It is a request, it might not be humble anymore, but it is a request. [And] it is a need."

The Pakistan Sport Board chief, Col (retd) Asif Zaman, said the government was surprised by FIFA's decision. “We were not expecting such a hasty decision from the football’s governing body,” he said. “It has surprised rather shocked us as the game of football will be the ultimate sufferer after such decision."

We don't understand this surprise, since FIFA's deadline actually expired a week before they even made the decision to ban the PFF.

Actor Faysal Quraishi took note of Khan's appeal and called for the authorities to resolve the matter and support our national athletes.

Khan had previously posted another video to her Instagram, anticipating the ban and expressing her disappointment at the situation.

FIFA had previously appointed a PFF Normalisation Committee, headed by Haroon Malik, to take charge of the board, and mandated it to conduct elections later this year. A group of football officials, however, led by Ashfaq Hussain Shah — who was elected as the president of PFF in Supreme Court sanctioned but not FIFA recognised elections in 2018 — seized control of the headquarters from the PFF NC last month. FIFA was prompted by this 'hostile takeover' to suspend PFF, saying it 'constitutes serious violations of FIFA's statutes.'

“FIFA issued a letter warning that, should the illegitimate occupation of the PFF headquarters not be lifted and the office bearers recognised by FIFA not be permitted free access to the building to carry out their mandate, the matter would be immediately submitted to the Bureau of the Council for decision,” FIFA said.

“As the situation remains unchanged, the Bureau of the Council has decided to suspend the PFF.” FIFA said the suspension will only be lifted if the committee is given complete control of the PFF.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Apr 09, 2021 12:44pm
She is 100 percent right.
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AJ Apr 09, 2021 12:53pm
Having regressed in almost every sector, it is totally understandable that we go down the hill in football too.
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Zarak Apr 09, 2021 01:16pm
Its just sad
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Apr 09, 2021 01:40pm
Another Urdu speaking fake Khan?
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Fastrack Apr 09, 2021 01:51pm
All the filth of anyone and everyone who is shamelessly hurting the country must be cleaned by one man. We are sorry, Imran Khan. You should have enjoyed your life in England.
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HashBrown® Apr 09, 2021 03:11pm
"The Pakistan Sport Board chief, Col (retd) Asif Zaman, said the government was surprised by FIFA's decision." As an uninformed member of the public, I could see this ban coming a few months ago, even before the PFF offices were forcibly taken over - but for Col Zaman it was apparently a complete surprise. Another glowing reason for having retired military pensioners running civilian organisations...
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Chrís Dăn Apr 09, 2021 04:39pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad ethnicity goes far back and there are many Urdu-Speaking Khans in family background. Do you have problems with Urdu Speaking decent people?
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JackJones Apr 09, 2021 05:58pm
I agree Imran Khan should intervene. This is about sports and most importantly, Pakistan.
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Ga Apr 09, 2021 06:47pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad- there are lot of Pathan's in Karachi who have picked up the local accents. Whats it to you?
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It's me Apr 09, 2021 07:45pm
Asking the Qabza group PM to help against the Qabza group at FIFA building is a joke!
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Ehsan Apr 09, 2021 07:47pm
Please listen to hers
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Humza Apr 09, 2021 09:40pm
@Chrís Dăn People who are not real Khans but Urdu speaking Khans should try to take pride in their background too. They don't need to pretend to be Pashtun but should be proud of what they are is what he is trying to say. There are millions of people in Bangladesh and India who claim to be Khans but everyone knows they are not real Khans.
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Laila Apr 09, 2021 10:23pm
@Humza what is a real Khan? Can you elaborate. Otherwise I agree with you.
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Laila Apr 10, 2021 01:49am
It's hard to explain but sometimes I am deeply frustrated and hurt by my countrymen and country women but sometimes my heart is filled to the brink with love for Pakistan and Pakistani soil. And sometimes some people just become a ray of hope. All the best, Hajra. Go get them
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Rick Apr 10, 2021 04:52am
“We were not expecting such a hasty decision from the football’s governing body,” What were you expecting, a CAKE. do you even understand how serious the situation is, FIFA HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DO WHAT IT DID.
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HashBrown® Apr 10, 2021 05:13am
@Humza "There are millions of people in Bangladesh and India who claim to be Khans but everyone knows they are not real Khans." With all due respect, the reason why the rest of the world laughs at Hindustan and Pakistan is because we have the same obsession with family names that we did in the 16th century. It really doesn't matter what her name is - try to understand what she's actually saying.
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Shahid Apr 10, 2021 07:00pm
Yet another failure and incompetence of PTI government as they had enough time to safeguard our Pakistan s image. The football players have to suffer because of the corrupt self proclaimed federation leaders who cannot be controlled by a hypocratical ministry.
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Rashid Aquil Apr 11, 2021 08:43am
I dream of Pakistan entering football cup final As a teenage in Pakistani boarding school I have witness so many glorious talents of Pakistani kids in football and athletics It such sad Pakistani cannot comeup with a decent football team Talent in kpk, Mehran, baluchistan is immense but corruption is always there Please get a u16 team in all states and create a national annual competition
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