KARACHI: Despite reports that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is secretly funding the officials of the

Faisal Saleh Hayat-led faction of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), the continent’s football governing body remained mum when asked for comment on Tuesday.

An AFC spokesperson, however, told Dawn that the $10,000 fine it slapped on the faction of the PFF, which is not recognised locally, will not be deducted from the payments that are due to its member association.

The fine came after the Hayat group withdrew the national side from the AFC Solidarity Cup, a tournament inaugurated this year for the continent’s lowest-ranked teams.

“Any disciplinary fines need to be paid, they are not deducted from payments due to MAs,” the spokesperson said.

With the PFF splitting into two factions following a bitter dispute ahead of its presidential election in June last year, world’s football governing body FIFA has stopped development funding to the Hayat-led group, which it recognises.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has since ruled that Hayat is no longer the country’s football chief and ordered fresh elections while appointing an administrator who controls the PFF accounts.

Rumours are rife that the AFC has been transferring funds in private accounts of the officials of the Hayat faction, which is enabling it to survive.

Published in Dawn November 2nd, 2016