The state of football in Pakistan has long been marred by controversies, mismanagement, and inefficiency. Despite substantial funding from FIFA, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), currently managed by a FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee (NC), is facing severe operational challenges. National team players remain unpaid, friendly matches are scarce, and the overall football ecosystem is plagued by crises. This investigative piece uncover the details of FIFA’s funding to the PFF, the mismanagement of resources, and the impact on Pakistani football.
FIFA’s Financial Support to PFF
FIFA allocates significant funds annually to its member associations to support football operations, infrastructure development, and other key activities. Under the FIFA Forward 3.0 program (2023–2026), member associations are set to receive over USD 8 million to enhance football development and operations globally. As a member association, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is a beneficiary of this program.
Between 2016 and 2022, FIFA disbursed a staggering USD 2.24 billion to 211 member associations and six confederations, a sum aimed at bolstering football’s growth worldwide. For Pakistan, this translates to an annual allocation of nearly USD 1.25 million from FIFA and an additional funding from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The primary goal of this funding is to uplift football in countries with underdeveloped programs, such as Pakistan, by addressing challenges in infrastructure, player development, and operations.
However, this raises a critical and uncomfortable question: Have these funds been utilized as intended? Despite receiving significant financial support, Pakistani football remains in a state of disarray, with unresolved crises and limited visible progress.
Mismanagement by the Normalization Committee
The Normalization Committee (NC), established by FIFA in 2019 to address internal disputes within the PFF and restore operational normalcy, has failed to meet expectations. Despite its mandate to resolve issues and set the stage for elections, the NC has repeatedly received extensions, with its tenure marked by inefficiency and growing frustrations among stakeholders.
1. Unpaid Players
One of the most glaring failures of the NC has been its inability to ensure timely payments to national team players. Both the men’s and women’s teams have reported delays or outright non-payment of salaries, leaving many players in dire financial straits. This issue persists despite the continuous inflow of FIFA funds meant to support operations and player welfare. The financial instability not only demoralizes players but also affects their focus and performance on the field.
2. Lack of Friendly Matches
Friendly matches serve as a crucial element for a team’s development and its players’ exposure to international competition. Under the leadership of NC Chairman Haroon Malik, the Pakistan national teams have suffered from a complete lack of friendlies in 2024. This absence is particularly detrimental, as regular matches provide opportunities for tactical improvement and talent scouting. The NC has also failed to revive the dormant Pakistan Premier League, a critical platform for domestic players to hone their skills and attract attention from foreign clubs. These combined failures stifle the growth of Pakistani football and reduce the visibility of its players on the global stage.
3. Opaque Financial Reporting
The NC’s lack of financial transparency has drawn widespread criticism. Despite receiving substantial funding from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the PFF under the NC has yet to release comprehensive and audited financial statements. This opacity raises questions about the allocation and utilization of funds, fueling suspicions of mismanagement and misappropriation. Without clear and transparent reporting, rebuilding trust among players, fans, and other stakeholders remains an uphill battle.
4. Failure to Achieve Its Mandate
Despite its mandate to resolve disputes and facilitate elections, the NC has repeatedly sought extensions from FIFA, prolonging its tenure without meaningful progress. Instead of focusing on the core issues plaguing Pakistani football, the NC appears more invested in trivial accomplishments, such as celebrating minor achievements in one-off matches. This failure to prioritize key reforms only exacerbates the challenges facing football in the country.
The NC’s tenure has left Pakistan’s football ecosystem in greater disarray, with players, fans, and stakeholders losing confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver on its promises. Immediate and decisive actions are needed to address these shortcomings and rebuild trust in the governance of Pakistani football.
Crisis in Football Infrastructure
The mismanagement extends beyond the financial realm. Football infrastructure in Pakistan remains underdeveloped:
- Stadium Conditions: It’s absolutely disgraceful that so many football stadiums in Pakistan, including the Punjab Stadium in Lahore, are in ruins, with no basic facilities for either players or fans. There’s only one stadium in the entire country — Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad — that can even be considered fit to host matches. Why the hell is the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), or whoever else is responsible, not spending a single damn rupee on fixing these stadiums? Why the utter neglect? These stadiums could be home to some of the most exciting football matches, but instead, they’re left to deteriorate, tarnishing the image of our sport.
- Grassroots Programs: Initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent are either underfunded or poorly executed. Grassroots development is the backbone of any footballing nation, and Pakistan lags far behind in this regard.
The Impact on Players and Fans
The mismanagement has far-reaching consequences for all stakeholders:
- Players: National players like Rao Omer Hayat continue to face immense struggles in securing spots with foreign clubs, all because of the glaring lack of support and international exposure. Recently, players such as Shayek Dost, Alamgir Ghazi, Mamoon Moosa, and Haseeb Khan had to join the newly-formed Afghanistan Champions League, and they did it entirely at their own expense—no backing from the so-called authorities. Meanwhile, younger players are left discouraged, with the instability and lack of opportunities pushing them away from football as a career. What’s the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) doing? Under the current management, it seems all they care about is clinging to their chairman’s seat, while the entire system falls apart.
- Fans: Football fans in Pakistan are disillusioned. The lack of progress and frequent controversies have eroded their trust in the PFF and its ability to uplift the sport.
Recommendations for Reform
To address the ongoing crisis, the following steps are recommended:
- Transparent Auditing: An independent audit of FIFA’s funds to PFF should be conducted to ensure accountability and transparency.
- Regular Reporting: The PFF must publish detailed financial reports and operational updates regularly.
- Player Welfare Programs: A portion of FIFA’s funds should be earmarked specifically for player salaries and welfare.
- Infrastructure Development: Immediate investments are needed to upgrade football facilities and establish grassroots programs.
- Strategic Friendlies: The NC should prioritize organizing international friendlies to boost the national team’s standing and player exposure.
Endless Crisis
The millions of dollars provided by FIFA to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) have the potential to revolutionize football in this country. Instead, these funds have been squandered due to blatant mismanagement and a complete lack of accountability, leaving Pakistani football in an endless state of crisis. The same old patterns of fund embezzlement, personal promotions, and egos continue to plague the system. Addressing these issues isn’t just the responsibility of FIFA—it requires a unified effort from the NC, PSB, departments, locak and central governments and all stakeholders to ensure that these funds are used properly to develop the sport. If they can’t do it for anyone else, they should at least have mercy on the millions of young players in Pakistan who dream of pursuing football as a career and finding a way out of this mess.
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