Pakistan football hit by a never-ending crisis

Pakistan football has become little more than a punching bag, suffering repeated blows from those who have vested interests.

The latest FIFA ban is yet another glaring reminder of the fragile state of the sport in the country. International sports governance in Pakistan remains subservient to external dictates, any deviation from their norms, and the hammer falls without hesitation.

For years, the FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee (NC) has been running the show, yet there seems to be no end in sight. Just when it appeared that an elected Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Congress would finally restore order, the FIFA struck again, renewing Pakistan’s suspension without even waiting for NC Chairman Haroon Malik’s recent outreach to Congress members. His attempt to end the impasse, triggered by their refusal to accept FIFA-imposed election rules, was swiftly overshadowed by FIFA’s iron-fisted decision.

The FIFA ban is not just a footballing crisis; it is a damning indictment of the Ministry for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). These government-run bodies have once again proven their lack of influence in global sports governance. Their inability to negotiate with FIFA over the past two years speaks volumes.

Compare this with Lt. Gen. (r) Arif Hasan’s tenure as Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) president. Despite enjoying a two-thirds majority, he voluntarily stepped down. Had he chosen to cling to power, neither the ministry nor PSB had the authority to dislodge him just as they failed to make any real impact on the PFF crisis. Their flawed approach, including the recent appointment of an Election Commissioner in violation of IOC standards, has only invited further international scrutiny.

While FIFA insists that constitutional amendments to the PFF 2014 Charter are mandatory, Congress members were initially led to believe these were optional. Had the FIFA been clearer from the outset, this deadlock could have been avoided. Moreover, if FIFA was so certain of these changes, why did not they enforce them outright instead of waiting for Congress approval?

The biggest sticking point remains the eligibility criteria for the PFF presidency. FIFA wants anyone with two years of experience in football to be allowed to contest, whereas Congress members are adamant about imposing restrictions. This fundamental disagreement has left Pakistan’s footballing future hanging in the balance.