Port Moresby Soccer Association suspended for two years by PNGFA

The Papua New Guinea Football Association has handed the Port Moresby Soccer Association a two-year suspension after accusing one of the country’s most prominent regional football bodies of repeatedly failing to comply with national regulations.

The suspension took immediate effect after formal notice was issued to PMSA on Monday, with PNGFA citing Article 17 of its statutes, which allows its executive committee to temporarily suspend a member that seriously or repeatedly violates its obligations.

According to PNGFA, the decision follows what it described as a pattern of continued non-compliance with national directives and competition requirements.

Among the breaches cited by the federation are violations of restrictions governing the movement of Premier Soccer League players during both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, disregard of suspensions imposed by PNGFA on several match officials and unpaid invoices related to player movement offences.

PNGFA also accused PMSA of repeatedly failing to endorse and provide affiliated clubs for national competitions, including the Women’s Conference Soccer League and National Youth Soccer League.

The national body said PMSA’s conduct indicated an intention to operate outside PNGFA’s governance framework while continuing to enjoy the rights associated with membership.

The suspension means PMSA will lose the rights, privileges and benefits afforded to PNGFA Member Associations and will not be able to participate in the federation’s governance processes unless specifically authorised.

PNGFA has also reserved the right to impose further administrative, disciplinary or financial measures if deemed necessary.

However, the sanctions do not apply directly to players registered with Port Moresby clubs.

PNGFA general secretary Ahmjad Tekwie confirmed that players who have already been selected for Papua New Guinea national teams will remain eligible for representative duties.

“The players are okay, they will still be considered for national teams,” Tekwie told The National, while explaining that the suspension is directed at the Member Association itself.

He added that PMSA players currently involved with national teams would remain in those squads.

The distinction is significant given Port Moresby’s importance as one of Papua New Guinea’s principal football centres and its contribution to the country’s national-team player pool.

PMSA had only recently completed its 2026 domestic season, with its grand finals programme featuring competitions ranging from U-19 level to the men’s and women’s premier divisions.

The latest action therefore creates an unusual situation in which local football can exist around PMSA while the association itself is cut off from the national federation’s membership structure.

PMSA has not yet issued a detailed public response to the allegations. The association declined to comment immediately and is expected to discuss the suspension during a special meeting scheduled for Sunday.

The dispute also comes during a period in which PMSA had publicly spoken about improving its administration.

President Paul Komboi, who took the role in 2024, said last year that strengthening governance, financial management, record keeping and administrative structures were among his priorities for the organisation.

The latest suspension is not the first major rupture between PMSA and the national federation.

Port Moresby was suspended from PNGFA in November 2008 and remained outside the national structure for several years. In May 2013, the association was eventually granted provisional membership again after almost five years away from the federation.

That return required PMSA to reform its constitution, organise elections and meet a series of administrative requirements before full membership could be restored.

More than a decade later, the country’s capital football association once again finds itself facing a serious institutional dispute with PNGFA.

The immediate sporting impact may be limited by the decision to protect national-team players, but the longer-term consequences could be considerably wider if PMSA remains unable to participate normally in PNGFA competitions, development programmes and governance for the full two-year period.

Much will now depend on the outcome of Sunday’s PMSA meeting and whether the association challenges the decision, seeks reconciliation with PNGFA or begins working toward compliance with the requirements imposed by the national body.