NSC Unconditionally Lifts ANFA Suspension Following FIFA Ban Threats
May 16, 2026
Bivek Tamang
The announcement regarding the lifting of the suspension was officially made and welcomed through a joint statement released by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). According to ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah, the decision was finalized following high-level discussions held at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports
Key Details of the Resolution
- The Cause of Suspension: The National Sports Council (NSC) originally suspended ANFA on March 25, 2026, under Section 29 (2) of the National Sports Development Act 2077. The NSC cited ANFA's failure to follow repeated directives regarding local-level elections and changes to its statute.
- The Pressure Elements: Global football governing bodies, including FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), repeatedly warned that the NSC's move constituted third-party government interference. They issued final compliance deadlines, threatening to completely ban Nepal from international football if the suspension was not rescinded.
- Crucial Meeting Stakeholders: The consensus was reached in a meeting attended by:
- Sasmit Pokharel (Minister for Education and Sports)
- Ramcharitra Mehta (NSC Member Secretary)
- Siddhi Byanjankar (Sports Advisor to the Minister)
- Kiran Rai (ANFA General Secretary)
- Suresh Shah (ANFA Spokesperson)
Impact on Competitions
Prior to the resolution, the dispute put the national women's team at risk of missing the upcoming SAFF Women's Championship in Goa. With the unconditional removal of restrictions, the team's participation is now secured, and domestic tournaments like the ANFA National League can safely resume.