FIFA Suspends Congolese Football Association and Pakistan Football Federation

On February 7, the Bureau of the FIFA Council suspended the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) and Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) with immediate effect. While FECOFOOT was suspended due to undue interference by third parties in the affairs of the organisation, violating FECOFOOT’s obligations in accordance with the FIFA Statutes, PFF was suspended due to its failure to adopt a revision of the PFF Constitution with a version presented by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that would ensure truly fair and democratic elections.

The removal of the FECOFOOT’s suspension has been conditioned upon it regaining control of its operations and full cooperation in managing its own affairs. The dispute between the Congolese Sports Ministry and Fecofoot officials has led to the suspension. The result has been ongoing disorganization and disputes between FECOFOOT and an ad hoc committee that was formed in late 2024 by the ministry.

Article 16 of the FIFA Statutes provides for the suspension of a member association. A suspended member association may not exercise any of its membership rights, and other member associations may not entertain sporting contact with a suspended member association. Further, Article 19 provides that each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties, and 19(3) provides for derecognition in case of non-compliance.

FIFA had earlier suspended the PFF in 2017 and 2021 due to third-party interference in its affairs. The last ban on Pakistan was lifted in 2022.