**KARACHI**: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has rejected the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee’s (NC) response to concerns outlined in a previous letter, describing it as inadequate and lacking in substance.
In a letter sent on Friday, the PSB requested a more comprehensive and detailed reply to the issues raised in its original communication dated November 11, 2024.
The NC had responded on November 13, but the PSB found the reply unsatisfactory, as it failed to directly address the specific concerns and instead relied on broad generalizations.
In its initial letter, the PSB had highlighted several procedural irregularities, including the delay in announcing the successful candidates for the Provincial Football Associations before convening the Congress meeting, the NC Chairman’s use of the title “President, PFF” instead of the Fifa-mandated “Chairman, NC,” and the absence of a FIFA authorisation letter for proposed amendments to the PFF constitution.
The PSB expressed concern that these actions appeared to overstep the NC’s mandate and called for clarification on these issues.
In its four-page response, the NC largely focused on its achievements since its appointment and defended its autonomy, suggesting that the PSB had been misled by individuals with vested interests. However, the PSB rejected these arguments, pointing to the sequence of events as evidence of the procedural shortcomings it had flagged.
The PSB noted that while the Congress meeting notice was issued on November 5, 2024, the notifications for the Provincial Associations’ elections were not sent out until November 13, 2024—only after the PSB intervened. This delay, the board argued, validated its concerns about the lack of proper procedure.
Additionally, the PSB criticized the NC Chairman’s use of the title “President, PFF,” calling it inconsistent with Fifa’s guidelines, which specify that the position should be referred to as “Chairman, NC.” The board argued that such actions undermine transparency and governance, which are essential principles of good sports management.
While the PSB reaffirmed its support for the autonomy of sports organizations, it emphasized that autonomy must be exercised responsibly, in line with organizational statutes and mandates. The PSB referenced the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Agenda 2020, which stresses that autonomy should come with both rights and responsibilities. It further stated that autonomy should not be used as a shield for actions that compromise transparency, fairness, or constitutional governance.
“As outlined in the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020, autonomy must be exercised responsibly, respecting organizational statutes and mandates. It does not justify actions that undermine transparency, fairness, or constitutional governance,” the PSB’s letter read.
The PSB also informed the NC Chairman, Haroon Malik, that the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination has scheduled a meeting for November 19, 2024, in Islamabad. The PFF has been invited to present a detailed report on the election process during this session.
The PSB concluded the letter by reiterating the need for a thorough and substantive response to the issues raised in its November 11 communication, stressing that addressing these concerns is vital for ensuring the integrity of Pakistan’s football community and adherence to Fifa’s mandates.
“Finally, we reiterate our request for a detailed and substantive response to the queries raised in our letter dated November 11, 2024. This is essential for addressing the legitimate concerns of Pakistan’s football community and ensuring adherence to Fifa’s mandate,” the letter concluded.
