FIFA announced on February 7, 2025, that it has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) from international competitions, along with the football association of the Congo Republic (FECOFOOT). The suspension of the PFF comes after it failed to adopt a revised constitution that would ensure fair and democratic elections.
This isn’t the first time FIFA has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation. It was previously banned in 2017 and 2021 due to third-party interference. The last suspension was lifted in 2022 when the PFF’s Normalisation Committee regained control over the federation’s finances and facilities. FIFA stated that the suspension will only be lifted if the PFF Congress approves the constitution presented by FIFA and the AFC.
FIFA Suspends Pakistan Football Federation
On February 7, 2025, FIFA, the international governing body for football, announced that it had suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) from participating in international football competitions. This suspension also affected the football association of the Congo Republic, known as FECOFOOT.
The reason for the suspension of the PFF is that the organization failed to adopt a new version of its constitution. This revised constitution was important because it would have ensured that the elections within the PFF were fair and democratic. Without this update, FIFA decided to place the suspension on the Pakistani football federation.
This isn’t the first time that FIFA has suspended the PFF. In the past, the PFF had been banned by FIFA in 2017 and 2021 due to interference from outside parties in the running of the federation’s affairs. However, the last suspension on the PFF was lifted in 2022 after the PFF’s Normalisation Committee successfully took control of the federation’s finances and facilities.
FIFA clarified that the suspension will remain in place until the PFF Congress agrees to the revised version of the constitution that was presented by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). If the PFF approves this version, the suspension will be lifted, and Pakistan will be allowed to participate in international competitions again.
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Why FIFA Ban Pakistan Football Federation?
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been suspended immediately due to its failure to adopt the revised PFF Constitution, which was necessary to ensure fair and democratic elections. This was a key requirement by FIFA as part of the ongoing normalization process of Pakistan Football Federation.
FIFA has stated that the suspension will only be lifted once the PFF Congress approves the version of the PFF Constitution presented by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Haroon Malik, Chairman of the PFF Normalisation Committee, told local media on Thursday that most of the newly-elected PFF Congress members did not agree with FIFA’s proposals.
“FIFA has suggested amendments to the PFF Constitution to meet international standards. However, the majority of the newly-elected Congress members have not accepted these proposals,” said Malik, according to Reuters.
Malik further stated that all elections have been completed, and the Congress members will now oversee the next phase.
FIFA Suspended Congo Republic Football Federation
The Congo Republic was banned due to outside interference in the management of its football organization.
FIFA issued a statement saying, “FECOFOOT has been suspended immediately because of serious interference by third parties, which violates FECOFOOT’s responsibilities under the FIFA Statutes.”
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FAQs
Q.1. Why was the Pakistan Football Federation suspended by FIFA?
Ans. The PFF was suspended for failing to adopt a revised constitution that would ensure fair and democratic elections.
Q.2. Has the PFF been suspended before?
Ans. Yes, the PFF was previously banned by FIFA in 2017 and 2021 due to third-party interference in its operations.
Q.3. What needs to happen for the PFF suspension to be lifted?
Ans. The suspension will only be lifted if the PFF Congress approves the revised constitution presented by FIFA and the AFC.
Q.4. Why was FECOFOOT, Congo Republic’s football body, suspended?
Ans. FECOFOOT was suspended due to third-party interference, violating FIFA’s statutes regarding football governance.
Q.5. What did the PFF’s Normalisation Committee do in 2022?
Ans. The Normalisation Committee took control of PFF’s finances and facilities, lifting the previous suspension and overseeing the normalization process.
