LAHORE: Pakistan’s loyal army of football supporters is hoping the country’s football federation will have its membership restored by the world governing body FIFA.
After taking full control of its finances, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) will write to FIFA next week seeking restoration of its suspended membership.
If the federation is successful, regional and international matches will return to the country.
FIFA suspended the PFF in October 2017, because of “undue third-party interference” in the federation’s affairs.
“We will be writing to FIFA for the restoration of our membership early next week after taking over full control of our finances,” PFF restored president Faisal Saleh Hayat told Arab News on Friday. “The process has been initiated.”
Hayat, a former interior minister, was elected PFF president on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, the Lahore High Court declared the appointed administrator Justice (Retired) Asad Munir’s position unlawful and directed him to hand over authority to the governing body elected in 2015.
The Pakistan Football Federation elected Hayat for a four-year term in 2015, but the decision was challenged and became the subject of a court appeal.
In 2015, the court appointed a retired judge as an administrator, a move that was rejected by FIFA.
FIFA has insisted the PFF has total control of its administration and finances before its membership can be restored.
“We have taken the control of federation’s office and are sitting here at the moment,” PFF Vice President Sardar Naveed told Arab News.
The PFF will contact the Asia Football Confederation and FIFA in order to resume its playing schedule.
Hayat said he is optimistic the world bodies will restore PFF membership and Pakistan will again watch national and international players compete.
Pakistan seeks return to world football
Pakistan seeks return to world football
Africa Cup of Nations commercial revenue up by 90 percent, says CAF
- CAF said on Friday this was because of the increase in commercial partners and media rights distribution
- “For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors
CASABLANCA: The Confederation of African Football said it has had a 90 percent increase in commercial revenue for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, calling it “the most successful commercial story in the history of African football” but without providing any figures.
CAF said on Friday this was because of the increase in commercial partners and media rights distribution and venturing into new markets, most notably in Asia.
“The growth has been matched by a steady expansion of the sponsor portfolio, with the number of commercial partners increasing from nine during the 2021 tournament to 17 at the finals in Ivory Coast in 2023,” a statement from African football’s controlling body said.
“For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors.
“This expansion reflects both the attraction of new global brands and the retention of existing partners, for whom the Afcon has been an excellent return on investment,” the statement added.
In its financial statements released at its congress last year, CAF said it had an income of $96 million in net contract revenues for the last Cup of Nations.
CAF, in its annual report last year, said the tournament in Morocco was forecast to contribute $114 million in net profit.
