LAHORE: Faisal Saleh Hayat, the controversial president of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), has been appointed chairman of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Legal Committee for the term of 2015-2019, according to a press release issued by Hayat’s own group of the federation here on Tuesday.

“In view of the meritorious services rendered by Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat to the football of Asia, he has again been appointed as chairman AFC Legal Committee for 2015-2019 by the AFC president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa,” the press release stated.

As PFF president, Hayat has also held these key positions: member FIFA Strategy Committee; member FIFA Players Statutes Committee; member Disciplinary Committee FIFA World Cup South Africa, 2010; member AFC Executive Committee from 2015-2019; member AFC Disciplinary Committee; and chairman AFC Disciplinary Committee.

Meanwhile, Hayat thanked AFC president and the AFC Executive Committee members, saying: “My appointment as AFC Legal Committee chairman echoes the faith and trust of the football family of Asia in me. I dedicate this honour to the betterment of football in Pakistan.

“As the head of AFC Legal Committee, I will serve the football of Asia to the best of my ability,” he added.

It is instructive to mention here that recent PFF elections held by Hayat’s group in Changla Gali have been declared null and void by the Lahore High Court, which has also appointed an administrator to hold fresh elections of the federation.

The court has also issued contempt of notice to Hayat’s group for holding the elections, despite it had given stay against them.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2015

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