Top female footballers raise voice against PFF power struggle

Several female footballers, including national team captain Hajra Khan, have joined hands to raise a collective voice against the ongoing crisis in Pakistan football that has led to the country’s suspension from FIFA.

The players issued a joint video statement on Monday to condemn the hostile takeover of PFF house by a “political group” and demanded that players’ rights should be respected by those responsible for governing the game.

The video features Hajra Khan, Khadija Kazmi, Aliha Aladin, Sarah Ali, Nina Zehri, Maria Khan, Mashal Hussain, Sahar, Naqiah, Karishma Ali, Zahra Khan and other top footballers from country.

“Recent events of power struggles within Pakistan Football have exposed some ugly truths of Pakistan Football,” says Hajra Khan, the captain of Pakistan women football team and one of the most celebrated female athletes of the country.

“As players, we suffer the most as governing body has failed to put our rights first,” adds Khadija Kazmi to the video.

The video message further adds that the disruption of the national women's championship earlier has made it clear that it is high time that players not only advocate for their own rights but also to keep the integrity of the game intact.

“Our message is clear: we want people, especially those governing the sport to respect women football,” said Maria Khan.

The collective video message also highlighted how teams, especially government-run departments expect players to comply with the political position of the administration.

The players vowed to challenge such practices.

“We want the players, both men and women, to voice their concerns and exercise choice and agency. We stand together, as players first with each other for the fair play and for the respect that the game deserves,” the video message concludes.

Earlier, six players, who were participating in the national women football championship, had publicly denounced the takeover of PFF offices and had refused to participate the championship under Ashfaq group.

Last month, the group led by Syed Asfhaq Hussain had stormed into offices of PFF and forcibly took over the affairs from FIFA appointed normalization committee. The move was termed illegal occupation of PFF office by FIFA and the global body had suspended Pakistan’s membership after Ashfaq led group ignored FIFA’s ultimatum to vacate the offices.

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