FIFA Suspends Congo Republic and Pakistan from International Football

Photo : AFP

FIFA has suspended the football associations of Congo Republic (FECOFOOT) and Pakistan (PFF) from international competitions. The suspension happened because both countries broke FIFA’s rules.

FECOFOOT was suspended because outsiders were getting involved in the way the football association was running. FIFA said this went against its rules. The decision was made after two FIFA teams visited Brazzaville, the capital of Congo Republic, to check the situation. FIFA said that FECOFOOT will only be allowed back if it takes control of its headquarters and other places again.

The PFF was suspended because it did not update its rules to make elections fair and democratic. The PFF had already been banned in 2017 and 2021 for the same reason. FIFA lifted the last ban in June 2022, after the PFF’s committee took back control of the football association's offices and money.

FIFA said the PFF’s suspension will not end until its members agree to a new version of their rules. FIFA wants the rules to meet the standards of both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Haroon Malik, head of the PFF Normalisation Committee, told local news that FIFA wants changes to the PFF rules to make them follow international standards. But some of the new members of the PFF Congress did not agree with FIFA’s suggestions. Malik said that all elections are done now, and the elected members will help lead the next steps.

FIFA is trying to make sure that football rules are fair and the people in charge are doing their jobs the right way.