PSB tells NC not to convene ‘unlawful’ Congress meeting on 19th

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has asked the Normalization Committee (NC) of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) not to go ahead with convening the Extraordinary Congress meeting on November 19 rather follow the constitutional roadmap by first notifying the provincial association’s office-bearers.

In a strongly worded letter written to NC Chairman Haroon Malik, the PSB questioned his calling himself (Haroon) as the PFF president. “With no legally recognized PFF president, the call for this Extraordinary Congress meeting is a clear breach of the PFF’s Constitution.

Additionally, the elected candidates of all provincial associations have not yet been notified, rendering the Congress incomplete. Hence, convening the meeting without notifying these elected office-bearers is not only undemocratic but also illegal.

It is also a matter of concern that you, as chairman of the Normalization Committee, have repeatedly presented yourself as the ‘President of the PFF’, as shown in your letter dated 5th November 2024.

This contradicts FIFA’s mandate, which appointed you as chairman of the NC to facilitate the elections, not to assume the role of PFF president.” The NC, led by Haroon Malik, was originally appointed with the responsibility of overseeing day-to-day operations, clubs’ registration and conducting transparent elections.

However, the PSB contends that the NC’s actions now indicate a shift toward assuming legislative powers, which could effectively transform it to a de-facto policymaking body. The PSB letter added that convening Extraordinary Congress meeting by the NC scheduled for November 19, 2024 threatens to destabilize football’s governance in Pakistan.

The PSB also raised concerns about ‘concealed’ changes apparently initiated in the PFF Constitution. “Moreover, you have cited a FIFA Council letter dated 14 March 2024 to support partial amendments to the PFF Statutes 2014, but this letter is neither available on the PFF website nor shared with the stakeholders.

The football community is thus understandably concerned that these intended constitutional amendments may be used to render you eligible to contest the PFF presidential elections, a situation presenting a clear case of conflict of interest and a violation of the International Olympic Committee’s principles of good governance.”

The PSB called for withdrawing all the recent steps to ensure smooth transition of powers to the elected officials. “The PSB urges the NC to immediately halt any actions that exceed its designated role failing which the PSB shall be constrained to take up this matter formally with the FIFA.

A copy of this letter is being forwarded to the FIFA Secretary General to ensure FIFA is fully informed of our concerns regarding the NC’s overreach and its implications for the democratic future of Pakistan football.”

The PSB also expressed concern over the news of a five-member delegation from FIFA and AFC attending this extraordinary meeting. “It only heightens the perceptions that the NC is leveraging external oversight as a cover to endorse contentious amendments potentially favoring specific factions.”