By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 16: The National Sports Council (NSC) has lifted the three‑month suspension it imposed on the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).
ANFA confirmed that the governing body of Nepali sport had withdrawn the suspension unconditionally.
In a statement on social media, ANFA welcomed the move, describing it as the end of the deadlock in Nepali football.
“We warmly welcome the decision taken by the National Sports Council on 25 March to unconditionally lift the suspension.
“For this important decision, we express our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Nepal, Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel, Chief Adviser Sidhi Benjankar, Raju Singh, and NSC Member Secretary Ram Charitra Mehta, along with the entire team involved,” the statement read.
According to ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah, the decision followed a meeting between Minister Pokharel, NSC officials and ANFA representatives. “We had a meeting with Minister Pokhrel and NSC officials at the ministry today. We explained all the facts.
“After a detailed discussion on the national and international situation of football, the minister declared to lift the suspension unconditionally,” Shah said.
“There are no conditions. NSC and ANFA will move forward in mutual consultation,” he added.
The NSC had imposed the suspension on 25 March after ANFA defied an order to amend its statute and hold elections at the local level. The move forced the postponement of ANFA’s election scheduled for 27 March in Jhapa.
Following the suspension, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) repeatedly urged NSC to lift the ban, warning that government interference could lead to Nepal’s suspension from international football.
FIFA and AFC issued deadlines on 4 April and 23 April, cautioning that failure to act could result in sanctions.
Officials from NSC, ANFA, FIFA and AFC also held an online meeting, which FIFA and AFC described as constructive, but reiterated that NSC’s actions amounted to third‑party interference.
The dispute had already prevented Nepal’s women’s team from competing in the FIFA Series and cast doubt over their participation in the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship in Goa this year.
With the suspension now lifted, ANFA confirmed that the women’s team, currently in closed camp, will take part in the tournament.
“Our participation in the SAFF was at risk due to the chances of a FIFA ban. Now, the situation is averted,” Shah said.
The Rising Nepal
