The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has rejected the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) Normalisation Committee’s (NC) response to concerns raised earlier, calling it insufficient and lacking in substance.
According to media reports, the PSB, in a strongly worded letter issued on Friday, demanded a detailed and comprehensive reply to its communication dated November 11, 2024, which highlighted several procedural irregularities.
The NC had submitted a four-page reply on November 13, asserting its achievements and autonomy. However, the PSB dismissed it as overly general and failing to address key queries, accusing the NC of evading accountability on crucial matters.
Governance concerns and procedural irregularities
The PSB’s initial concerns included delays in notifying successful candidates for Provincial Football Associations prior to convening the Congress meeting, misuse of the title “President, PFF” by NC Chairman Haroon Malik instead of the Fifa-mandated “Chairman, NC,” and the absence of a FIFA authorisation letter for proposed amendments to the PFF constitution.
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In its rebuttal, the PSB highlighted specific lapses, such as the Congress meeting notice being issued on November 5, while Provincial Association election results were only notified on November 13—after the PSB intervened. The board argued that this sequence of events validated its concerns regarding procedural transparency and governance.
The PSB further criticised the NC Chairman’s use of the title “President, PFF,” stating it contradicted Fifa’s directives and undermined the credibility of the organisation. It emphasised that these actions appeared to exceed the NC’s mandate and jeopardised the integrity of Pakistan’s football administration.
Autonomy and accountability
While reiterating its support for the autonomy of sports organisations, the PSB underlined that autonomy must align with organisational statutes and international standards. It cited the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Agenda 2020, which stresses that autonomy comes with responsibilities, including adherence to transparency, fairness, and constitutional governance.
“Autonomy does not permit actions that undermine transparency, fairness, or constitutional governance,” the PSB stated, calling for adherence to Fifa’s mandate and organisational principles.
Furthermore, the PSB informed Haroon Malik that the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination has scheduled a meeting on November 19 in Islamabad. The PFF has been directed to present a detailed report on the election process during this session.
The PSB concluded by reiterating its demand for a substantive response, describing it as essential to addressing the concerns of Pakistan’s football community and ensuring compliance with Fifa’s mandate.
“Failure to provide an adequate reply risks further undermining the credibility of Pakistan’s football governance,” the PSB warned, urging the NC to prioritise transparency and accountability in its operations.
