FIFA suspends Nepal Football Association membership over third-party interference

FIFA, the world football governing body, has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) with immediate effect due to third-party interference and violations of FIFA regulations.

According to a statement issued by FIFA, the decision was taken after allegations of external interference in the administrative affairs of Nepali football and a long dispute. Earlier, the National Sports Council had also suspended ANFA for three months, but this decision was later withdrawn.

FIFA said in its statement that the Council Bureau decided to suspend ANFA’s membership due to clear third-party interference under Article 14, Clause 1(i) and Clause 3 of FIFA Statutes.

According to the statement, the Nepal Football Association has been deprived of all rights to FIFA membership. As a result of this ban, Nepal’s national and club-level teams will not be able to participate in any international competition until the suspension is lifted.

FIFA further clarified that during the suspension, ANFA, its member associations and officials will not be able to benefit from development programmes, training courses or financial support from either FIFA or the Asian Football Confederation.

FIFA has instructed its member associations not to establish any sporting links with ANFA or its teams during the suspension.