Footballers Protest ANFA's Alleged Neglect of Injured National Team Captain Sabitra Bhandari

Kathmandu. Players from Friends Club protested the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) for allegedly neglecting the treatment of national women's football team captain Sabitra Bhandari 'Samba'. Tension arose when players, showing support for Samba before the ongoing National League match, attempted to enter the field wearing black armbands.

However, ANFA stopped the players from entering the field with black armbands, stating it would violate the rules of the game. ANFA has recently faced criticism in the football community for not showing sensitivity towards the treatment and care of Captain Samba, who is sidelined due to injury. The players from Friends Club chose this symbolic protest to show solidarity on this very issue.

The match was briefly affected when ANFA officials insisted that playing with armbands was not permissible, citing regulations. ANFA obstructed entry, arguing that entering the field wearing black armbands would be against discipline.