Impasse as NC seeks amendments at all costs

ISLAMABAD: Even after the formation of the Electoral College through a democratic system, the establishment of the elected Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) body looks a far cry, as the Normalization Committee (NC) again started using FIFA/AFC shoulders to get the required amendments in the federation’s constitution.

The elected PFF Congress with a two-third majority rejected the constitutional amendments proposed by NC on January 24. Instead of accepting the elected body’s principle stand, which denied the option to an outsider or a newcomer to contest the PFF presidential election, the NC has announced that FIFA/AFC adheres to the value of the proposed constitution.

In a letter issued on February 5 and distributed among the Congress members on February 4, the NC said that: “The newly-elected Congress Members, by a substantial majority, rejected the amendments to the PFF Constitution 2014 proposed by FIFA and the AFC to align the PFF with FIFA values and principles. FIFA and the AFC have opined in the strongest terms that while the Congress Members want to be a part of the FIFA family, they do not wish to align with the spirit and principles of FIFA and the AFC, and the newly-elected Congress Members have created a deadlock.” During numerous discssions, both virtual and physical, FIFA has been unwavering on the need for constitutional amendments to align with the FIFA principles. It is crucial to note that FIFA and AFC have consistently emphasized the significance of these amendments, for the future of Pakistan’s football and for its standing within the global football community.

They also noted that FIFA’s commitment to compliance is non-negotiable. With the Congress members rejecting the proposed amendments, there seems to be no viable pathway forward to resolve the electoral process and or any other front including sporting development and participation.

“To resolve this impasse, I will set up a series of meetings with each of you, and through dialogue, I hope that we can move forward in the spirit of football and for the betterment of our sport and all its constituents,” the letter issued by Chairman NC Haroon Malik says.

The NC members who rejected the amendments were of the view that a person having no service for football in the country at a higher level or having no football background should not be allowed to contest PFF presidential elections-a view which according to NC is not acceptable to FIFA/FC. The NC backs the 2014 constitution (clause 38-4) which says that the “candidate should have played an active role in different capacities for at least two years.”

Elected Congress says: “A candidate for the office of the President PFF shall have played an active role as a member PFF Congress, Member PFF Executive Committee, PFF Elected Official, AFC, FIFA for at least 2 of the preceding 5 years before being proposed as a candidate (i.e. The candidate for President PFF shall have been the member PFF Congress, PFF Committee and PFF Elected

Official, AFC, FIFA Official/Member Committee for at least 2 of the preceding 5 years. NC is adamant that “A candidate for the office of the President PFF shall have played an active role in football management and organization at any level (e.g. as an official within PFF, at provincial/regional level, district level or within a club) or as a player.” Meanwhile, the National Assembly Standing Committee has summoned NC Chairman Haroon Malik Thursday to furnish details of the elections and why the PFF is not being handed over to the elected body.