Undoing of FIFA ban

In April 2021, FIFA banned Pakistan for a second time in four years, citing a ‘hostile takeover’ of the Pakistan Football Federation’s headquarters. The takeover was orchestrated by former PFF president Ashfaq Hussain over fears of being removed. Almost a year after the incident, an overwhelming majority of FIFA members have voted to lift the ban on Pakistan — 195 in favour and 4 against — once all the requirements are fulfilled.

Just like other industries and sectors, Pakistani football too finds itself marred by dirty politics, nepotism and corruption with little regard for merit and development. As a result, poor facilities, lack of development at the grassroots level, and little investment are serious impediments that restrict the expansion of football in Pakistan. In this regard, we should learn from neighbouring India that has honed its sports industry and successfully developed world-class leagues such as the Indian Premier League for cricket, the Indian Super League for football and even the VIVO Pro Kabaddi league. Altogether, its sports media and sponsorship industry reached about 95 billion Indian rupees in FY20 and is set to reach 150 billion Indian rupees by 2024. This shows that sports can indeed aid the ailing economy, which the Pakistan’s PSL has proved this year by generating the highest revenue in the league’s history, with each franchise earning a profit of around Rs900 million. Removal of FIFA ban would provide Pakistan with immense opportunity to hone the game of football in the country through grassroots development and international recognition. The Pakistan Football League is already in its adolescent stages with legendary football star Michael Owen signing a three-year deal to become the official ambassador.

But what is most essential is to appoint honest and sincere professionals at the helm and to keep petty politics away from the game. We have already seen our beloved national sport, hockey, severely deteriorate. Let us hope that sanity will prevail and other sports will not fall victim to the same.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2022.

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