Pakistan Football Federation Reaffirms Commitment to FIFA-Led Normalization Process
Islamabad, 13th November 2024 – The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has reiterated its dedication to FIFA’s normalization process, responding to recent inquiries from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). In a detailed letter addressed to Mr. Nasrullah Rana, Director of NF at the PSB, the PFF highlighted the progress made and reaffirmed its commitment to bringing transparency and governance reforms to Pakistani football.
The normalization process, initiated by FIFA and supported by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), aims to stabilize the PFF by establishing transparent electoral procedures and reforming football governance in Pakistan. This effort has been led by a FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee (NC) since 2019, in response to longstanding internal conflicts that had previously paralyzed Pakistan’s footballing infrastructure.
“The normalization process led by FIFA and the AFC is a landmark journey for football in Pakistan. Through these collective efforts, we have set a solid foundation for the future, establishing fair, transparent systems that will empower our clubs, players, and the football community,” said Mr. Ali Akram, Head of the PFF’s Legal Department.
Key Highlights of the Normalization Process
- Unprecedented Achievements:
- Pakistan’s first-ever victory in both World Cup and Olympic Qualifier matches, marking a historic milestone in the country’s 76-year football history.
- Successfully hosted Saudi Arabia for a World Cup Qualifier match on home soil.
- Domestic Tournaments and Competitions:
- Conducted multiple domestic tournaments, with over 2,000 official matches played across the country.
- Digital Transformation through Pakistan Football Connect Programme (PFC):
- Launched a revolutionary digital registration platform that enrolled 7,109 football clubs/academies, 32,054 players, and 4,768 officials/coaches.
- Implemented a digital scrutiny process lauded for its transparency and efficiency.
- Transparent Electoral Process:
- Conducted extensive scrutiny through the All Pakistan District Championship across 142 districts.
- The NC’s efforts have been recognized as the most transparent elections in PFF history, gaining widespread community support.
- Establishment of Dispute Resolution Mechanisms:
- Established independent Disciplinary & Ethics Committees, Appeals Committees, and an Arbitration Tribunal to address disputes.
- Successfully resolved over 700 election-related appeals and 30 general football disputes, with further appeal options through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The PFF further emphasized that any grievances should be directed through established channels within the PFF and FIFA, rather than through external bodies, in line with the independence stipulated by the PFF Constitution. The federation has extended an invitation to PSB representatives to visit the Football House in Lahore on November 26, 2024, for an in-depth briefing on the normalization process.
Also Read:
