World football governing body Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has suspended Nepal’s football federation, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), with immediate effect over what it described as third-party interference in the administration of the game.
The decision bars Nepal’s national teams and clubs from participating in all FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions until further notice.
FIFA said the suspension followed what it termed “flagrant violations” of its statutes after a prolonged dispute between ANFA and Nepal’s National Sports Council (NSC), the government body responsible for sports administration in the country.
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According to FIFA, the council’s actions amounted to undue interference in football governance, a practice prohibited under FIFA regulations which require member associations to operate independently of political and government influence.
The crisis escalated in March when the National Sports Council suspended ANFA for three months as the federation prepared for elections that had been agreed upon with FIFA and the AFC. Although the suspension was later lifted in May, disagreements over election procedures and proposed amendments to ANFA’s statutes continued.
In a circular sent to football associations worldwide, FIFA stated that ANFA had lost all membership rights and that Nepalese representative teams and clubs would no longer be eligible to compete internationally until the suspension is lifted.
The sanction also cuts off access to FIFA and AFC development funds, training programmes, educational courses and technical support available to the federation and its officials.
ANFA spokesman Suresh Shah described the development as a major setback for football in Nepal.
“The suspension is an issue of grave concern; we are consulting with all stakeholders to lift the suspension, keeping Nepal’s football in priority,” Shah said.
He warned that the suspension would directly affect players and aspiring footballers by limiting opportunities for international exposure and development.
Nepal is currently ranked 175th in FIFA’s men’s rankings, while its women’s national team sits 88th in the world.
Government officials said efforts were underway to resolve the crisis. Ram Charitra Mehta of the National Sports Council noted that authorities were exploring ways to address the dispute and restore Nepal’s position in international football.
FIFA said the suspension could be lifted if the National Sports Council withdraws the disputed directives and allows ANFA to complete its electoral process without external interference.
The development places Nepal among several football nations sanctioned by FIFA over governance disputes and political interference, highlighting the governing body’s strict stance on the independence of member associations.
For Nepal, the priority will now be resolving the standoff quickly to avoid a prolonged absence from international football competitions.
