PFF calls extraordinary congress meeting on Nov 19

KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) Normalisation Committee has scheduled an extraordinary congress meeting on Nov. 19 in Lahore to consider amendments to its constitution, particularly focused on election procedures, sources told The News on Thursday.

The Congress, set to take place at a local hotel, will address proposed changes to the PFF’s election framework in accordance with directives from FIFA, the international governing body for football.

In an official letter sent to various departments, the PFF outlined the main agenda of the meeting as amendment in PFF constitution, which sources refer to as amending Articles 38 and 90, which regulate the eligibility of presidential candidates and the timing of elections.

According to sources within the PFF, the upcoming Congress was called in response to a mandate from the FIFA Council issued in March 2024. It instructed the PFF Normalisation Committee to make specific adjustments to its statutes, aiming to ensure an open and democratic election process.

FIFA’s assessment found that existing provisions, particularly Article 38, overly restrict the pool of potential candidates, limiting competitive opportunities within PFF leadership. An official confirmed that invitations for the meeting have been sent to various departments.

“The primary focus of this meeting will be on revising Articles 38 and 90. These amendments, guided by FIFA, are intended to expand the eligibility pool for presidential candidates and provide flexibility in the election timeline, ensuring a more inclusive and fair election process,” a PFF source told this correspondent.

Article 38, as it currently stands, requires a presidential candidate to have served in an official capacity within the PFF Congress, Executive Committee, or as a recognised AFC or FIFA official for at least two of the preceding five years. This stipulation, found in Article 38(4), has been identified as a constraint on the number of eligible candidates, thus limiting options for leadership roles.

“The proposed revisions aim to ease these restrictions, thereby allowing a broader range of qualified individuals to contest for the presidency,” the source added. By widening the eligibility criteria, the PFF seeks to attract diverse candidates who can bring new perspectives to the federation.

Article 90 governs the scheduling and procedural framework of PFF elections. Currently, the article mandates that the entire election process, from district to federation level, be outlined by Jan. 31 of the election year, with elections completed by July 31. The newly elected body is expected to assume office on Sept. 1. The proposed amendments to Article 90 will offer greater flexibility in this timeline, allowing sufficient preparation time for both candidates and officials to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

Sources added that the other clauses of PFF statutes may also come under consideration to be amended. The congress will be under the observation of a five-member delegation from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which is expected to attend the meeting to monitor proceedings and provide guidance.

“FIFA and AFC have recommended a partial revision of the PFF Constitution to foster a genuinely representative and democratic electoral process,” noted the official directive from FIFA. “The current provisions have been identified as potential impediments to forming an inclusive leadership, and a revision will support the long-term stability and progress of Pakistan’s football governance.”

According to the PFF’s notification, the Extraordinary Congress will officially commence once a quorum of Executive Committee members is present. The meeting is expected to address the proposed amendments in detail, with potential revisions to additional constitutional clauses that could further support transparency and efficiency in PFF’s electoral process.