Why did FIFA suspend Pakistan Football Federation’s membership again?

The Federation Internationale de Football Association(FIFA) once again suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after the PFF Congress refused to implement constitutional amendments recommended by the global football governing body.

The global football governing body had mandated these revisions as part of an ongoing normalization process to align Pakistan’s football governance with international standards.

According to an announcement by the FIFA, the PFF has been suspended with immediate effect due to its failure to adopt a revision of the PFF Constitution that would ensure truly fair and democratic elections and thereby fulfill its obligations as mandated by FIFA as part of the ongoing normalisation process of PFF.

The suspension means that Pakistan’s teams are barred from participating in international competitions until the issue is resolved and the PFF will not receive any assistance from the FIFA.

FIFA’s decision comes after the PFF Congress rejected amendments proposed by the governing body and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), jeopardising the PFF’s upcoming presidential elections.

The suspension will only be lifted if the federation agrees to adopt the revised constitution in its entirety, as mandated by FIFA. Until then, Pakistan’s footballing future remains in limbo.

FIFA and the AFC specifically recommended changes to clauses related to the electoral process to ensure a democratic and transparent structure. However, resistance from the PFF Congress led to a deadlock, forcing FIFA to take disciplinary action.

Haroon Ahmed Malik, the Chairman of FIFA’s appointed PFF Normalization Committee, had previously highlighted FIFA’s insistence on these reforms, stating, “FIFA wants amendments in the PFF Constitution to align it with international standards. However, despite repeated efforts, a majority of the members have been reluctant to approve these changes.”

This is not the first time the Pakistan’s Football Federation has been sanctioned by FIFA. In April 2021, the federation was suspended due to third-party interference, violating FIFA regulations. That ban was lifted in June 2022 after FIFA confirmed that its Normalization Committee had regained control of the federation’s headquarters and finances.