FIFA Warns Nepal of Football Suspension Over ANFA Dispute

Kathmandu. The world football governing body (FIFA) has given a stern warning to Nepal regarding the dispute between the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and the National Sports Council (NSC). FIFA has warned that Nepal will be immediately suspended from international football if the controversial decision made by the NSC last March is not completely revoked and its autonomy is not guaranteed.

In the latest letter sent by FIFA to the ANFA General Secretary on June 5, the steps taken by the NSC have been taken seriously. Earlier, the NSC had sent a letter on May 15 to FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) revoking the suspension imposed on ANFA in accordance with Section 29(3) of the National Sports Development Act, 2077. In the same letter, the NSC had stated its eagerness to resolve the problem by holding a joint physical meeting soon between the Ministry of Sports, FIFA, AFC, and ANFA.

Although FIFA and AFC have taken the revocation of the suspension by the NSC positively, they have expressed serious objection that the main decision of the NSC dated March 25 has still not been completely revoked. That decision of the NSC had directed ANFA to stop its election process, amend some provisions of its statute, and hold general assemblies for district associations. According to FIFA, such a directive directly and seriously affects ANFA's autonomy and activities, which is an undue 'third-party interference' contrary to FIFA's regulations.

Reminding its old correspondences, FIFA has concluded that the NSC's May 15 letter did not address the other fatal points of the March 25 decision, and those points are still in effect. FIFA's stance is that ANFA must be allowed to restart and complete its election process as soon as possible in accordance with its own statute, without any external pressure or third-party interference.

FIFA has given Nepal a final deadline of June 11 regarding this matter. The letter clarifies that if written assurance is not received by that period that all remaining aspects of the NSC's March 25 decision have been completely revoked, or if the response received is not satisfactory, the matter will be directly presented to the FIFA Council for the immediate suspension of ANFA. FIFA has instructed ANFA to send this letter to the Ministry of Sports and other relevant bodies including the NSC and to keep them informed about the progress in this regard.