The International Football Governing Body has handed statutory bans to Chad and Pakistan over external interference into its football affairs.
Chad suspended due to dismantling of FTFA
The Sports and Youth Ministry in Chad passed a legislative act in February, which dissolved the FTFA and suspended all football activities in the country due to lack of communication of the football authorities with the government. The government stepped in and took all administrative powers away from the FTFA. The interference of the Chadian government resulted in the disqualification of the nation from the African Cup of Nations due to the violations of several ‘code of conduct’ statutes.
FIFA had given a month to the FTFA officials to take back control of its operations. Still, the national government did not budge, forcing the international football body to suspend FTFA membership rights until further notice.
FIFA also said that it is ready to overturn the suspension and hand over all rights to the FTFA if the erstwhile officials confirm with the governing body that they have been returned all administrative rights and are in control of the football activities in the country.
Pakistan Football caught up in fire between two sides
A group of officials led by former PFF President Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah vandalised the PFF office and took away all cheque books and accounts from the headquarters. It also meant that the PFF finances were completely in control of a group of former officials who were supposed to have no power in office.
The officials attacked the office, citing a lack of football development in the nation, roadmap, and structure. They forced the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee (NC) chairperson, Haroon Malik, out of office.
The violent mob also alleged that the Normalisation Committee delayed the elections to the PFF office. Former President Syed Ashfaq Shah was appointed to the top seat in Pakistan football by a Pakistan Supreme Court order, which was declared unofficial by the FIFA authorities, thus creating a rift in 2019.
“Where will players go when they are not paid? The players who sacrificed and left their education to play football are going to have their futures destroyed if the FIFA ban remains,’’ said Pakistan Football captain Kaleemullah Khan to the Athletic.
“We are extremely disappointed. All of our footballers come from poor backgrounds and if the government department-operated teams stop, then they will have nowhere to go.
“The bans are hurting Pakistan football and the youth in particular. An under-12 youth player will have now lost five years due to the two bans. Their time is moving but there is no footballing activity.”
Meanwhile, Malik told Reuters: “It’s very unfortunate for Pakistan that FIFA suspended PFF, and some people who have vested interests in PFF are responsible for it.
This is also the second time that FIFA has suspended the South Asian nation in less than five years. FIFA has also said that they will overturn the suspension if the normalisation committee headed by Haroon Malik confirms to the body that the control is back with the Malik faction.
What are the rules?
Section I of Article 14 under the FIFA Statutes (2018) declares that all member nations affiliated to FIFA need to manage the internal affairs of domestic football with absolute independence and no external or third party influence can be allowed.
Article 19 elaborates the same. The member associations should have their own rules and regulations to host administrative elections and follow a democratic structure without the intervention of a legislative and judicial body of the member nation. Chad and Pakistan have violated all the statutes under the obligations of member nations and are thereby suspended.
