Zurich, February 7, 2025 – The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has officially suspended the operations of both the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) and the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) due to numerous regulatory violations.
The decision was reached during a meeting of the FIFA Council Bureau on Thursday and has taken effect immediately.
FIFA cited “severe external interference” as the main reason for FECOFOOT’s suspension. The football governing body stated that the situation within the Congolese federation had deteriorated to an alarming extent, necessitating immediate intervention. FIFA stressed that the undue influence of third parties in FECOFOOT’s operations directly contravened its regulations and undermined the federation’s autonomy.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Football Federation faced suspension for failing to implement necessary reforms. FIFA stated that the PFF had not adopted a revised set of statutes crucial for ensuring fair and democratic elections. This non-compliance prevented the organization from meeting the governance standards established by FIFA.
“The inability of PFF to establish a transparent and democratic electoral process remains a significant concern,” FIFA remarked. “Without these reforms, Pakistan’s football governance does not align with the core principles mandated for its member associations.”
The suspension of both federations means they are now prohibited from participating in any international football activities governed by FIFA. Furthermore, financial and developmental support from FIFA to these federations has been suspended until further notice.
FIFA has previously implemented similar measures against federations that did not uphold autonomy and governance standards. It has urged both Pakistan and Congo to address their respective issues promptly in order to regain membership and resume football operations.
Football fans in Pakistan and Congo have voiced their disappointment over this decision, as it directly affects players, clubs, and national teams, hindering their ability to compete in FIFA-sanctioned events.
FIFA has indicated that the suspensions will be lifted once both federations meet the necessary requirements and demonstrate compliance with international football governance standards.
