PSB Rejects PFF Normalisation Committee’s Reply, Demands Clarity on Procedural Irregularities

In a sharp escalation of tensions between the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC), the PSB has dismissed the NC’s response to serious procedural concerns as “inadequate and lacking substance.”

In a strongly worded letter issued on Friday, the PSB underscored the need for a detailed and substantive reply to its initial communication dated November 11, 2024. The letter pointed out that the NC’s response, submitted on November 13, failed to directly address the board’s queries, instead resorting to generalities and self-congratulatory narratives about its achievements.

The PSB’s initial letter flagged several procedural irregularities, which it deemed critical to ensuring transparency and accountability in the NC’s operations. Key among these were:

1. Delay in Notifications: The PSB criticized the delay in notifying successful candidates for the Provincial Football Associations, which occurred only after the Congress meeting notice was issued on November 5, raising questions about procedural intent.
2. Misuse of Title: The board took issue with the NC Chairman, Haroon Malik, using the title “President, PFF,” instead of his FIFA-assigned designation, “Chairman, NC.” The PSB described this as a deviation from FIFA’s mandate.
3. Constitutional Amendments: The lack of a FIFA authorization letter for proposed amendments to the PFF constitution was another red flag.

The PSB argued that these actions appeared to overstep the NC’s remit and compromise the principles of good governance and transparency. “Autonomy must be exercised responsibly,” the PSB stated, citing the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Agenda 2020. “It cannot be a shield for actions that undermine fairness, transparency, or constitutional governance.”

In its four-page response, the NC defended its actions by listing achievements since its appointment and insisted on its autonomy, accusing the PSB of being influenced by individuals with vested interests. However, the PSB found these arguments insufficient.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination has now summoned the NC for a hearing on November 19 in Islamabad. The PFF has been instructed to present a comprehensive report on the election process, which the PSB insists is critical for rebuilding trust within Pakistan’s football community.

As the November 19 meeting approaches, the spotlight remains firmly on the NC to defend its actions and provide the transparency demanded by Pakistan’s football stakeholders.