2021–22 Pakistan Premier League (2021–22 PPL) was to be the 62nd season of Pakistani domestic football and the 13th season of the Pakistan Premier League. Each team was scheduled to play every oter team twice, for a total of 22 games. The league was not recognised by FIFA, as it was organized by the then PFF President, Ashfaq Hussain Shah, who came to power after forcibly taking control of the PFF office.[1] The tournament was suspended after a few months into the season and then cancelled.[2]
Overview
On 27 March 2021, the PFF's office was attacked and people inside held hostage by its former controversially elected president, Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah, and his group, who again came to power after attacking and taking charge of the PFF office.[3][4][5]
Due to the attack FIFA imposed a suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation on 7 April 2021 with immediate effect due to third-party interference, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA statutes. Hence, no football activity was possible in Pakistan and the men's Pakistan Premier League was yet to start.[6][7][8] The Ashfaq-led PFF group anyhow announced that the 2021 edition of PPL would be held from August.[1]
The league was ultimately not recognised by FIFA, as it was organized by Ashfaq Hussain Shah.[1] The tournament was suspended after a few months into the season and then cancelled.[2] With only around a dozen of matches played by each team, WAPDA was the leading team with 24 points.[9][10]
Masha United, which was promoted to the top-tier, and Chaman major team Afghan FC decided to not participate in the event, saying it was being held by a federation which is not recognised by FIFA.[1]National Bank was another team not featuring. Sources told "The News" that the majority of National Bank players had already passed their prime.[1] Promoted sides Gwadar Port Authority and Baloch Quetta also declined to enter.[2]
