The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been suspended after failing to adopt the constitutional amendments required to ensure fair and transparent elections. FIFA had mandated these revisions as part of the ongoing normalization process to bring the federation in line with global football governance standards.
The suspension will only be lifted if the PFF Congress approves the version of the constitution proposed by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Football in Pakistan remains in crisis after the PFF rejected these amendments, putting the upcoming presidential elections at risk.
FIFA and the AFC had advised the PFF to modify specific clauses in its constitution, particularly those related to the electoral process. However, the PFF Congress refused to implement the proposed changes, leading to FIFA’s decision to impose sanctions.
FIFA-appointed PFF Normalization Committee Chairman Haroon Ahmed Malik had earlier stated, “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.”
Has the Pakistan Football Federation ever faced ban before?
This is not the first time Pakistan’s football federation has faced suspension. In April 2021, FIFA had suspended the PFF due to third-party interference, which violated FIFA's statutes. That ban was lifted in June 2022 after FIFA confirmed that the PFF’s Normalization Committee had regained full control of its headquarters and finances.
Despite these developments, issues within the federation have continued. FIFA has been advocating for constitutional reforms to ensure fair elections and proper governance, but the PFF Congress has resisted these efforts. This latest suspension means that Pakistan’s national teams are barred from participating in international tournaments, and the PFF will not receive any financial or technical support from FIFA until the matter is resolved.
