FIFA has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) with immediate effect following a governance crisis in Nepali football. The decision was taken after the world governing body determined that there had been serious violations of FIFA statutes related to third-party interference.
In a statement, FIFA said the suspension was imposed under Article 14 of the FIFA Statutes, which requires member associations to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from external parties.
Nepali football has been facing significant turmoil in recent months. After the Nepalese government moved to suspend ANFA, FIFA intervened and imposed sanctions on the federation, citing concerns over its autonomy and governance.
The country’s football administration has been plagued by controversy for years. Former ANFA president Ganesh Thapa was banned by FIFA’s Ethics Committee in 2016 over bribery allegations. Nepalese authorities also investigated him over claims that millions of dollars in football development funds had been misappropriated.
The ongoing crisis has severely affected domestic football. With league competitions effectively at a standstill, many players have sought opportunities abroad, while an estimated 1,250 to 2,100 players across Nepal’s top three football divisions have been left without regular matches or stable income.
No timeline has been announced for the resumption of domestic league competitions, and FIFA’s latest suspension is expected to create further uncertainty around the future of football in Nepal.