International football stars arrive in Pakistan, after FIFA ban

The Fata Football Super League-2017 will start at Qayyum Sports Complex, Peshawar today (Friday).

The league will be featuring international footballers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Afghanistan, who arrived in Peshawar on Thursday.

The matches will also be held in Kurram, Orakzai and Bajaur agencies informed organizing committee secretary, Shahid Shinwari, at a press briefing . Former national team captain Najeebullah Najmi and Gohar Zaman were also present, The Express Tribune reported.

The arrival of international footballers come after FIFA suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), after it was learnt that the PFF offices and its accounts remain in control of a court-appointed administrator.

“FIFA has decided to suspend the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) with immediate effect in accordance with the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council dated 10 October 2017 on account of undue third-party interference,” stated FIFA, in a press statement.

Meanwhile, the FATA league would have 12 teams and the winners would get Rs0.5 million while the runner-up would get Rs0.3 million the organizer told the press conference. “Best player, top scorer and best goal-keeper would bag Rs25, 000 each,” he said.

The 12 teams participating are: Bajaur Stars, Pakir Epi South Waziristan Agency, Khyber Eagles Waziristan Panther, Khyber Green Zalmi, Shanwari FC, Malik Saad Falcons, FAW United, Young Jamrud United, Dara Adam Khail Eagle and Gazi Ajab Khan of Dara Adam Khail, Khurram Shaheen of known Dr Arif and Al Hajj Group.