ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) Normalization Committee’s (NC) decision to call an emergency Congress meeting on November 19 to change the PFF constitution has been deemed “illegal” by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
The PSB has threatened to raise the issue to FIFA if the NC does not stop any measures that go outside its designated area of responsibility.
To make sure FIFA is fully aware of the PSB’s concerns regarding the NC’s actions and its possible effects on the future of democratic governance in Pakistani football, the PSB also wrote to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström and NC chairman Haroon Malik.
FIFA created the NC five years ago to supervise PFF elections, but the election process is still ongoing. However, the PSB has vehemently opposed its decision to call a special meeting of the PFF Congress on November 19 in order to change the PFF constitution.
Concerns about a possible conflict of interest are raised in the PSB’s letter dated November 11, especially in relation to NC chairman Haroon Malik’s ability to run for PFF president if the modifications are approved.
“Football stakeholders are understandably concerned that these constitutional changes may be designed to facilitate your candidacy for the PFF presidency, creating a clear conflict of interest and violating the Principles of Good Governance of the International Olympic Committee,” the letter reads.
The PSB also chastised the NC for going beyond its authority.
Although FIFA initially assigned the NC the responsibility of managing day-to-day operations, guaranteeing correct club registration, creating an electoral code, and planning fair elections at all levels in 2019, the PSB asserts that calling a Congress meeting to change the PFF constitution is a clear breach of the NC’s initial mandate.
The PSB emphasized that the proposed changes, particularly to Article 38 of the PFF constitution, would essentially turn the NC from a transitory body tasked with reestablishing democracy inside the PFF into a policymaking body.
The letter also highlighted the general discontent among Pakistani football stakeholders, who feel that the NC’s strategy is opaque and exclusive.
It stated, “The football community feels that these amendments, despite being framed as a way to encourage inclusivity, do not involve clubs and players, further separating them from an impartial and equitable electoral process.”
The PSB also expressed worries over the participation of a delegation from FIFA and the AFC, which is anticipated to attend the Congress meeting.
The PSB is concerned that controversial modifications that would favor particular groups could be supported under the guise of external supervision.
Additionally, the letter reminded the NC that the president is required by Article 22(3) of the PFF Constitution to conduct Congress meetings in compliance with standing orders.
It was decided that calling a special Congress meeting was a blatant breach of the PFF constitution because there was no legally recognized PFF president.
The PSB further pointed out that the Congress gathering is undemocratic and incomplete because the elected representatives of all provincial organizations have not yet been informed.
It was said to be unlawful and undemocratic to call the gathering without formally informing these elected office-bearers.
The PSB also chastised Haroon for allegedly violating FIFA’s directive by posing as the “President, Pakistan Football Federation” in a letter dated November 5, 2024.
The NC chairman was not chosen to be the PFF president; rather, he was nominated to supervise elections. The PSB also questioned the validity of a letter from the FIFA Council dated March 14, 2024, that the NC used to justify several changes to the PFF Statutes.
There are additional worries in the football community because the letter has not been shared with stakeholders or made public.
In closing, the PSB warned that if the NC did not immediately stop acting in accordance with its authorized role, the PSB will formally take up the issue with FIFA.
To make sure FIFA is aware of the PSB’s concerns, a copy of the letter was also forwarded to the organization’s secretary general.
The PSB reiterated in a press release on Tuesday that the NC’s actions pose a threat to the stability of football governance in Pakistan in response to the letter.
According to the PSB, the NC’s attempts to take over policymaking responsibilities run the risk of upending the PFF’s already precarious governance structure.In response to a request for comment, NC chairman Haroon said he needed to read the PSB’s letter and press release before he could comment.
“We will respond through a press release after we have had an opportunity to review the PSB’s letter and statement,” Haroon stated.
