Fifa suspends membership of Nepal association in organization

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has suspended the membership of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) in the organization, banning the country's national team and its clubs from participating in international tournaments.

This was reported by the newspaper The Himalayan Times.

The decision, according to a letter from FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström to ANFA head Kiran Rai, is related to a "flagrant violation" of its charter by the National Sports Council (NSC), an unresolved conflict between them over the electoral process in the football association, and interference in the elections by third parties.

ANFA loses all rights as a FIFA member. The association and its representatives lose the opportunity to participate in FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) development programs, courses or trainings.

FIFA has set two conditions for the restoration of ANFA's membership. First, the complete and unconditional annulment of the NSC decision of March 25. At that time, the activities of the executive committee of the All Nepal Football Association were suspended for three months, which was accused of holding elections without the approval of the sports organization and prioritizing the directives of international organizations over national legislation. Second, providing ANFA with the opportunity to complete the already started electoral process in accordance with its charter.

The letter, a copy of which was sent to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), emphasizes that the ban will remain in force "until further notice." Similarly, the International Football Federation also notified all its members of the decision.