President, Balochistan Football Association (BFA), Mir Muhammad Jan Marri, has hailed Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)'s decision of imposing 10-years ban on former PFF secretary general Muhammad Arshad Khan Lodhi and abstaining him from taking part in any football activity.
Marri expressed surprise that Arshad Khan Lodhi, besides being sitting president of Punjab Football Association and PFF Congress member, repeatedly violated PFF code of conduct and discipline along with his colleagues Chaudhry Abdul Rasheed and Anees Ahmed Khan Lodhi and such decision from PFF disciplinary committee was on the card.
"I feel the ban should have been imposed on him earlier considering the fact that he told Fifa, AFC that football is in dire strait in Pakistan, despite being secretary of PFF for three and half years during those days," said Marri on arrival here for taking part in PFF Congress on 14th July, 2007.
Marri further said that Arshad Lodhi is a good gentleman but he was simply not good for football. He was misguided by his colleagues who are responsible for the ban. During his 25 years attachment with PFF, Lodhi had done nothing and it is wrong to level false allegations against the person who provided a perfect platform to Pakistan football.
Removal of Arshad Lodhi has nothing to do with PFF President Faisal Saleh Hayat and his departure was in line with regulations of Fifa and has no relations with working of present PFF set-up, he added. Marri said that despite being suspended, Arshad is still issuing baseless statements and false allegations against Faisal Saleh Hayat, which will not help cause of sports.