July 19, 2007	Thursday	Rajab 03, 1428

LAHORE, July 18: FIFA has snubbed former Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) secretary Arshad Lodhi, rejecting his allegations of adopting unconstitutional approach for the federation’s elections against PFF chief Faisal Saleh Hayat.

A PFF press release on Wednesday said FIFA through an e-mail message, thanked Faisal for sending comprehensive report on the false, baseless and frivolous allegations leveled by Arshad, assuring these contentions had been rejected.

The July 14 PFF elections had been postponed after a stay order issued by Lahore High Court in response to a petition filed by Arshad’s associate Mahmood Khalid.

Arshad had sent a copy of his allegations to FIFA and the AFC, requesting the two bodies to take action. FIFA had sought a reply from PFF against Arshad's allegations.

“FIFA has congratulated Faisal on his re-election as the PFF president,” the PFF said.

Though the elections could not be held on July 14, Faisal had declared himself president for the next term on June 14 a month before the scheduled elections, claiming no nomination had been received against him. The PFF president had claimed according to the amended PFF constitution the nominations for the post of president should be sent two months before the polls.

The Zurich-based world soccer ruling body has hailed PFF's decision of imposing a 10-year ban on Arshad from holding any office in association, federation and taking part in any football activity for violating PFF code of conduct.

The PFF disciplinary committee had imposed the ban on Arshad for issuing press statements against the PFF president and tarnishing the image of the federation.

According to the PFF, FIFA has also assured its full support because of “phenomenal achievements” and “unprecedented efforts” for the promotion of football in Pakistan.

The PFF said FIFA had also praised the PFF for eliminating politics from the game and emphasized on fair play, merit and discipline, ratification of the PFF constitution, appointment of full-time secretary and holding of transparent elections.