FIFA Council to Decide Fate of Nepalese Football After Three-Month Suspension

Kathmandu, Nepal – The future of Nepalese football, which has been under international suspension for over three and a half months, hangs in the balance as the FIFA Council convenes on Thursday. The decision-making body of world football will hold its 37th meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, at 2:45 PM Nepali time, according to FIFA's official website.

The 37-member Council has a packed agenda with eight key items for discussion. Significantly, the second agenda item, under its third sub-point, explicitly mentions "discussion on the current situation of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)."

ANFA's Suspension and Government Interference

ANFA was suspended by FIFA on June 25, marking the first time in its history, due to alleged government interference. FIFA's suspension came with specific conditions for the Nepal government: allowing ANFA's controversial 'early election' to resume from where it was halted and ensuring the association operates as an autonomous body. Meeting these conditions, FIFA stated, would lead to the lifting of the suspension.

The government had initially suspended ANFA for three months on March 24, citing conditions such as halting the 'early election' and conducting democratic, tiered elections, as well as operating the organization in accordance with national law, its own statutes, and general assembly decisions. This intervention effectively blocked ANFA's plan to hold elections on March 27 in Jhapa, the home district of then-President Pankaj Bikram Nemwang, where representatives from four years prior were slated to vote, thereby approving the central leadership for another four-year term.

Despite the presence of FIFA and AFC representatives, the election was ultimately postponed. FIFA expressed strong objection to the government's actions, repeatedly warning of a suspension. In response to FIFA's demands, the National Sports Council (NSC) unconditionally lifted its suspension on ANFA on June 1.

However, the government's scrutiny on specific ANFA officials did not ease, as investigations into alleged match-fixing and financial irregularities continued. This persistent government involvement was deemed third-party interference by FIFA, leading to ANFA's indefinite suspension on June 25.

The Role of the FIFA Council

This upcoming meeting marks the first time the FIFA Council, the authoritative body empowered to discuss and decide on such matters, will convene since ANFA's suspension. While the FIFA Congress (General Assembly) is the supreme body for all policy-making and decisions in world football, it meets only periodically. The FIFA Council serves as the regulatory body authorized to make decisions on all global football matters that arise between Congress sessions. Consequently, the Council's term, like that of FIFA leadership, is also four years.

The Council holds jurisdiction over all aspects of world football policy, making decisions on technical matters on the field, administrative issues, tournament formats, and financial policies. The last Council meeting was held on April 28 in Vancouver, Canada.

Key Agendas for Discussion

The 37th FIFA Council meeting on Thursday will not only ratify decisions made in the previous session but also prominently feature the discussion on ANFA's current situation. Additionally, the agenda includes deliberations on amendments to existing FIFA laws, disciplinary regulations, player transfer provisions, and FIFA's administrative structure. Discussions will also cover future football tournaments.

A highly controversial proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, known as 'FIFA Forward Enterprise,' is also expected to spark a heated debate. This proposal, coming after the conclusion of World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, aims to sell major tournaments to private companies and increase grants to member associations, a move that could significantly impact global football.