IT was a quirky coincidence that the latest edition of the Pakistan Premier Football League kicked off on Independence Day, alongside the start of major leagues across Europe. But while domestic seasons in Europe marked the resumption of club competitions just three months after the last editions were completed, the PPFL is being held for the first time in two-and-a-half years, the country’s top tier league — along with the game in general — having suffered badly due to infighting in the Pakistan Football Federation. And while the players and teams gleefully welcomed the long-awaited return of the PPFL, they very well know that this season won’t be recognised by FIFA as it is being held by a court-elected PFF body which the global football body doesn’t accept. Pakistan was suspended by FIFA after the PFF of Ashfaq Hussain Shah, which came to power after an election held by the Supreme Court, seized control of the PFF headquarters in March from the Normalisation Committee appointed by FIFA to put football back on track in the country. Mr Shah’s PFF had initially handed over control of the headquarters to the NC upon its initial appointment in September 2019. It cites the NC’s failure to hold fresh elections during its 18-month tenure as the reason for taking over control. NC members continue to hold talks with the government to free the headquarters but the general feeling remains that the latter’s hands are tied.

The crisis has also been exacerbated by FIFA seeking nominations from the warring groups of the PFF for NC members instead of selecting neutral ones and further appointing a chairman with commercial interests in Pakistan football. FIFA and the government will have to work together if the country’s long-standing football issues are to be resolved. Otherwise, while the players will continue to suffer, another generation of football fans in the country will grow up following leagues across Europe and never having the joy of supporting a local team or watching their own stars in action.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2021