Football: Fifa impose indefinite ban on Pakistan

Fifa said that the suspension would prevent Pakistani teams from playing in international competition and the Pakistan Football Federation from benefiting from Fifa development and training programmes. PHOTO: REUTERS

ZURICH (REUTERS) - Pakistan has been suspended from international football because of what world football governing body Fifa described as undue third-party interference in the country's football federation (PFF).

Fifa said in a statement that the suspension would prevent Pakistani teams, including the national side, from playing in international competition and the PFF from benefiting from Fifa development and training programmes.

"The PFF offices and its accounts remain in control of a court-appointed administrator, which constitutes a violation of the PFF obligations to manage its affairs independently and without influence from any third parties in accordance with the Fifa statutes," said Fifa in an official statement.

"The suspension will be lifted once the PFF offices and access to the PFF accounts are returned to the PFF."

A PFF spokesman told Reuters by e-mail they had no immediate comment, but were preparing a statement to explain "the background which led to this and also our views on the suspension".

According to Fifa records, Pakistan, ranked 200th in the world, have not played a full international since a 0-0 draw with Yemen in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in March 2015.

Pakistan have never qualified for the World Cup.

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