ANFA Warns It Will Resume Regular Football Activities As FIFA Suspension Crisis Deepens

The All Nepal Football Association has warned that it will resume its regular football activities from Monday under FIFA directives if the government does not take immediate steps to resolve the ongoing crisis.

ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai made the announcement during a press conference in Kathmandu on Thursday. He said the FIFA suspension and restrictions imposed on ANFA have affected players, coaches, referees, staff, youth academies and national team preparations.

The crisis has also created serious financial problems. ANFA says more than Rs 10 crore is due to various suppliers, while players, coaches, referees and staff have not received salaries and allowances.

ANFA Plans To Resume Activities From Monday

Rai said ANFA is ready to cooperate with the government to find a solution. However, he warned that the association cannot allow its regular operations to remain affected for an indefinite period.

If the government does not take a positive step, ANFA plans to conduct its regular and necessary activities from Monday in line with FIFA's instructions.

According to ANFA, FIFA allows certain internal and domestic activities to continue even during the suspension. However, restrictions imposed by Nepali authorities have prevented the association from carrying out its normal operations.

Rai said ANFA does not want a confrontation with the government and wants clear instructions on how it should move forward.

Why Did FIFA Suspend ANFA?

FIFA suspended ANFA on June 24, 2026, over third party interference in the administration of Nepali football.

The dispute is connected to a decision taken by the National Sports Council on March 25, a day before ANFA was preparing to conduct an early election process in Jhapa.

After FIFA suspended ANFA, the National Sports Council imposed further restrictions on the association. These included restrictions involving ANFA's bank accounts, official website, social media channels and vehicles.

The situation has left ANFA unable to carry out many of its normal administrative and football activities.

FIFA Sets Conditions For Suspension To Be Lifted

According to ANFA General Secretary Rai, FIFA has set clear conditions that must be met before the suspension can be lifted.

ANFA says the National Sports Council's March 25 decision must be completely revoked. The current ANFA executive committee must also be reinstated, and the association's election process must be completed as soon as possible according to the ANFA statute.

ANFA officials have called for coordination between the government, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to resolve the dispute.

Players, Coaches And Staff Affected

The impact of the suspension has gone beyond administrative issues.

National men's and women's team players, coaches, referees and ANFA staff have been affected. Salaries and allowances have not been paid, creating financial pressure on people who depend on football for their income.

ANFA has also said that injured national players have faced problems receiving treatment because of the crisis.

The association says the longer the situation continues, the greater the damage will be to players and the overall development of Nepali football.

Youth Academies Face Serious Problems

Young footballers living and training at ANFA academies have also been affected.

According to Rai, arrangements involving food, accommodation and education for children at the academies have faced problems because ANFA cannot operate normally.

Youth team preparations for international competitions have also been affected.

The continuing suspension could therefore have a long term impact on young players who are being prepared for Nepal's future national teams.

Nepal Has Already Missed Six International Competitions

The consequences are also being felt internationally.

Nepal has already missed participation in six international competitions during the suspension period.

Preparations and participation related to youth international tournaments are also at risk as the dispute remains unresolved.

ANFA has warned that continued delays could cause Nepal to miss more international competitions and reduce opportunities for Nepali players to compete at higher levels.

SAFF Championship Faces September 30 Deadline

One of the biggest immediate concerns is Nepal's participation in the upcoming Men's SAFF Championship in Bangladesh.

ANFA says the FIFA suspension must be lifted by September 30, 2026 for Nepal's participation in the competition.

If the suspension remains in place beyond the deadline, Nepal could miss the regional championship.

The possibility of missing the SAFF Championship adds further pressure to resolve the dispute quickly.

More Than Rs 10 Crore Due

ANFA is also facing a growing financial burden.

According to the association, more than Rs 10 crore is due to different suppliers. Salaries and allowances for players, coaches, referees and staff also remain unpaid.

The financial problems have increased during the suspension because the association has been unable to operate normally.

ANFA officials say the situation is affecting people whose livelihoods depend directly on football and that further delays could make the financial problems even more difficult to resolve.

ANFA Calls For Immediate Government Action

ANFA has maintained that it is ready to work with the government to resolve the dispute rather than continue the current situation.

Rai called for immediate coordination between the government, FIFA and AFC. He said a solution must follow FIFA's requirements while allowing Nepali football to return to normal operations.

ANFA has made it clear that if the government does not provide a positive and clear way forward, it plans to resume regular domestic activities from Monday according to FIFA's instructions.

With more than Rs 10 crore due, players and staff waiting for payments, youth academies facing difficulties and the September 30 SAFF deadline approaching, the coming days could be important for the future of Nepali football.