ISLAMABAD: The Pakis­tan Sports Board (PSB) has declared the Pakistan Football Federa­tion (PFF) Normalisation Committee’s (NC) decision to convene an extraordinary Congress meeting on November 19 to amend the PFF constitution as “illegal”.

The PSB has demanded that the NC halt any actions that exceed its assigned role, warning that failure to do so would force the PSB to escalate the matter to FIFA.

In a letter addressed to NC chairman Haroon Malik, the PSB also informed FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, seeking to ensure FIFA is fully apprised of the PSB’s concerns over the NC’s actions and their potential impact on the future of democratic governance in Pakistan football.

The NC, which FIFA established five years ago to oversee elections within the PFF, has yet to complete the electoral process. Nevertheless, it has decided to convene a special meeting of the PFF Congress on November 19 to amend the PFF constitution — a move that the PSB has strongly opposed.

The PSB’s letter, dated November 11, raises alarms over the potential conflict of interest, particularly with regards to NC chairman Haroon Malik’s eligibility to run for the PFF presidency, should the amendments pass.

The letter states: “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 International Olympic Committee’s principles of good governance.”

The PSB further criticised the NC for overstepping its mandate.

While the NC was originally tasked by FIFA in 2019 with overseeing daily operations, ensuring accurate club registration, drafting an electoral code, and organising fair elections at all levels, the PSB claims that convening a Congress meeting to amend the PFF constitution is a direct violation of the NC’s original mandate.

The PSB highlighted that the proposed amendments, specifically those to Article 38 of the PFF constitution, would effectively transform the NC into a policymaking body rather than a transitional entity focused on restoring democracy within the PFF.

The letter also pointed out widespread dissatisfaction among football stakeholders in Pakistan, who believe the NC’s approach lacks transparency and inclusivity.

“The sentiment within the football community is that these amendments, though presented as a means of promoting inclusivity, fail to engage clubs and players, further distancing them from a fair and unbiased electoral process,” it read.

Additionally, the PSB raised concerns over the involvement of a FIFA and AFC delegation, which is expected to attend the Congress meeting.

The PSB fears that external oversight could be used as a cover to endorse controversial amendments that may benefit specific factions.

The letter also reminded the NC that under Article 22(3) of the PFF Constitution, the president must conduct Congress meetings in accordance with standing orders.

Given the absence of a legally recognised PFF president, the call for this extraordinary Cong­ress meeting was deemed a clear violation of the PFF constitution.

Further­more, the PSB noted that the elected representatives of all provincial associations have not yet been notified, making the Congress meeting incomplete and undemocratic.

Convening the meeting without these elected office-bearers being formally notified was described as both illegal and undemocratic.

The PSB also criticised Haroon for presenting himself as the “President, Pakistan Football Federation” in a letter dated November 5, 2024, which the PSB claims contradicts FIFA’s mandate.

The NC chairman was appointed to oversee elections — not to assume the role of PFF president. Additionally, the PSB questioned the legitimacy of a FIFA Council letter dated March 14, 2024, which the NC used to support partial amendments to the PFF Statutes.

The letter has not been made available to the public or shared with stakeholders, raising further concerns within the football community.

In its conclusion, the PSB urged the NC to immediately cease any actions beyond its authorised role, warning that failure to comply would prompt the PSB to formally take up the matter with FIFA.

A copy of the letter was also sent to FIFA’s Secretary General to ensure that FIFA is fully informed of the PSB’s concerns.

Following the letter, the PSB issued a press release on Tuesday, reiterating that the NC’s actions represent a threat to the stability of football governance in Pakistan.

The PSB stated that the NC’s attempts to assume policymaking powers could destabilise the already fragile governance structure within the PFF.When contacted for comment, NC chairman Haroon stated that he could not respond until he had reviewed the PSB’s letter and press release.

“Once we’ve had a chance to read the PSB’s letter and statement, we will issue our response in the form of a press release,” Haroon said.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024