FIFA Suspends Congolese FA and Pakistan FA Over Governance Issues

FIFA has announced the immediate suspension of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) and the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) due to serious governance violations, citing undue interference and failure to meet reform mandates.

The Bureau of the FIFA Council said it reached these decisions after extensive assessments in consultation with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

FECOFOOT’s suspension follows reports of significant third-party interference in its operations, violating FIFA statutes. FIFA and CAF dispatched investigative missions to Brazzaville, leading to the decision to impose sanctions.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s football governing body, the PFF, was also suspended for failing to adopt a revised constitution that ensures fair and democratic elections. FIFA had mandated these reforms as part of the ongoing normalisation process, but PFF could not implement them.

According to a statement released by FIFA, the following conditions must be met for FECOFOOT’s suspension to be lifted. First, complete control of FECOFOOT headquarters, the Ignié Technical Centre, and other facilities must be returned to the federation.

Second, any attempts to alter the signatories of FECOFOOT bank accounts must cease, and control must be restored to FIFA and CAF-recognized officials. Any legal or administrative decisions granting an ad hoc committee authority over FECOFOOT must be revoked. FECOFOOT must be allowed to operate independently and free from external interference.

The suspension will only be lifted for PFF once the PFF Congress officially approves the constitution drafted in collaboration with FIFA and the AFC.

These suspensions mean FECOFOOT and PFF lose all membership rights, barring their national teams and clubs from participating in international competitions until FIFA reinstates them.

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