NEW DELHI: FIFA has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after it failed to implement constitutional amendments deemed essential by the global governing body for the fair and efficient administration of the sport in the country. FIFA stated that the suspension would remain in place until the PFF Congress adopts the required amendments.
Pakistan football has been under the control of a FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee since June 2019. The committee was tasked with conducting elections and resolving internal conflicts within the federation, but it has struggled to fulfill its mandate.
Despite multiple changes in leadership over the past five years, the fundamental issues within Pakistan’s football structure persist. The Normalisation Committee has also been at odds with the state-run Pakistan Sports Board, further delaying the constitutional amendments.
Earlier this week, PFF Normalisation Committee chairman Haroon Malik cautioned a parliamentary panel that his tenure would end on February 15 and that Pakistan risked suspension if the amendments were not implemented. He clarified that making these amendments did not mean he would be a candidate in the upcoming PFF elections.
Malik also revealed that the PFF Congress was unwilling to comply with FIFA’s directives, resulting in the ongoing standoff.
This marks the third time Pakistan’s football federation has been suspended since 2017.