Pakistan withdraw from AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers

The Pak Shaheen wERE drawn in the group also consisting of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and India.

In a recent turn of events, Pakistan has withdrawn from their AFC U-23 Championship qualifying round. The group F consisted of the hosts Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and India. it was announced on Wednesday when the apex football control body of Pakistan - Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) ordered to do so.

The qualifiers will start from March 22 and the main competition would be played in Thailand in January 2020. The teams are drawn in 11 groups of four teams each with the four best second-placed teams advancing to Thailand.

Tajikistan Football Federation, on Wednesday, tweeted, "Pakistan’s Olympic team has withdrawn from participation in the qualifiers for the 2020 AFC Under-23 Championship which will be held in Tashkent."

ОЛИМПИЙСКАЯ СБОРНАЯ ТАДЖИКИСТАНА НЕ СЫГРАЕТ С ПАКИСТАНОМ В ОТБОРОЧНОМ ТУРНИРЕ ЧЕМПИОНАТА АЗИИ-2020Олимпийская сборная Пакистана снялась с участия в отборочном турнире чемпионата Азии-2020, который пройдет в Ташкенте.https://t.co/eRmhcp1OLk@UzbekistanFA_ru @UzbekistanFA pic.twitter.com/AIcgfO0mfG

— Tajikistan Football (@fft_official) March 6, 2019

Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah, president of the PFF said, "I wanted to ensure that we send out a team to play. The Asian Football Confederation said they don’t recognise us so there was no chance we could’ve sent or withdrawn the team from the tournament.

Ashfaq insists that the governing body was not involved in any decision.

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They can face a potential fine of US$20,000 for their withdrawal as it comes less than 30 days before their first match. Further sanctions and strict actions from AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may also be caused.

The withdrawal would mean that India and Pakistan will not face each other amidst all the tensions around the border. All India Football Federation, a week ago said that they would consult the Indian government before fielding against Pakistan.