Islamabad, Feb 7: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been suspended once again by FIFA after failing to implement crucial constitutional amendments required for transparent and fair elections. The decision marks another setback for the country’s footballing future, as the global governing body continues its push for governance reforms in line with international standards.
FIFA had made these amendments a key condition for the normalization process, aiming to ensure that Pakistan’s football administration operates with integrity and transparency. However, the PFF Congress rejected the proposed changes, which were backed by both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), effectively derailing the upcoming presidential elections.
READ MORE: Is Pakistan Football Facing Another Ban by FIFA?
As a consequence, Pakistan’s football activities on the international stage are now at a standstill. The suspension will remain in place until the federation fully adopts FIFA’s recommended constitutional revisions. Without compliance, Pakistan will be excluded from all international competitions, and the PFF will be deprived of financial and technical assistance from FIFA.
The amendments in question primarily addressed electoral processes, aiming to establish a more democratic structure. However, resistance from within the federation led to a deadlock, prompting FIFA to take decisive action. Haroon Ahmed Malik, Chairman of FIFA’s appointed PFF Normalization Committee, had previously emphasized the urgency of these reforms, stating that FIFA had repeatedly urged changes to align the PFF Constitution with global football governance standards. Despite these efforts, the PFF Congress remained reluctant to implement the modifications.
This latest suspension is not an isolated incident. Pakistan’s football governance has been plagued by turmoil for years. In April 2021, FIFA imposed a ban due to third-party interference, a violation of its regulations. That suspension was lifted in June 2022 when FIFA confirmed that its Normalization Committee had regained control of the PFF’s affairs. However, internal conflicts and governance challenges have persisted, keeping Pakistan’s footballing progress in jeopardy.
With this latest sanction, Pakistan finds itself further removed from the global football community. The PFF’s next steps will be critical in determining whether the country can return to international competition or remain in the shadows, with its footballing aspirations indefinitely put on hold.
