PFF struggling to field best squad against Afghanistan [The News]

by Abdul Mohi Shah

ISLAMABAD: Once among the most resourceful sports bodies in the country, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) now finds itself grappling with financial constraints, so much so that only five of the 13 diaspora players selected will be able to join the national training camp ahead of the Asian Cup qualifier against Afghanistan scheduled for October 9.

The camp, already underway at the Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad, has brought together a 19-member group of local players training under the supervision of head coach Nolberto Solano.

Out of the targeted 13 foreign-based players, only Haris Zaib, Mikhak Abdullah, Ehtizan Hussain, and Abdullah Iqbal have so far confirmed participation, while one more is expected to join soon.

In stark contrast to previous years, when up to 15 diaspora players represented Pakistan in major qualifying rounds for the World Cup and Asian Cup, this time, the PFF will have to make do with just a handful.

“Yes, it is all due to financial constraints,” confirmed a PFF official. “We initially planned to bring in around 13 diaspora players, but our budget can only cover the expenses of five. With 23 local players already in camp, we’ll have a total of around 28 players before the qualifier against Afghanistan.”

The federation’s financial crisis runs deep. According to sources, eight of the 11 PFF Executive Committee members present in the last council meeting called for a government audit into the Rs 2 billion reportedly spent by the FIFA-installed Normalisation Committee (NC) over the past five years.

FIFA, too, is said to be preparing for the audit of funds it provided to the NC during that period. Ironically, while the PFF under Mohsen Gilani continues to induct staff, it struggles to invest in players, the very core of the sport’s progress.

Published in The News, 6 October 2025