KATHMANDU: The dispute that arose after the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) made ‘unethical’ and ‘biased’ remarks on geographical basis has reached to Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Senior Vice President of ANFA, Pankaj Bikram Nemwang sued President Karma Chhiring Sherpa in FIFA and AFC for the remark.
While talking to an online portal published from the USA on May 17, Sherpa had made a biased comment against the Terai people.
“There is less nationalistic feeling in the Terai, hence, it will be easier to work in collaboration with Nepal Army as that could teach the people there nationalism and the national song,” ANFA President had said.
Sherpa’s controversial remark has got the attention of the federal parliament as well. Lawmaker Bimal Prasad Shrivastav demanded both the clarification about the ANFA President’s remark and asked the authority to take action against him.
“His remark has insulted and belittled the Terai people,” lawmaker Shrivastav said in the parliament, “So due action should be taken against him.”
ANFA Vice President Nemwang claimed that he had sought action from higher authority as President Sherpa did not let the national body discuss and decide on the issue.
“I advised him to form a probe committee and stand aside till the investigation is over,” Nemwang said, “But he did not let the issue being probed, rather he defied it.”
Earlier, ANFA had taken action against Lalitpur District Football Association for a similar controversial remark. “It’s not fair to punish one and reward another for the same crime,” Nemwang said, “It’s against the ANFA constitution as well.”
However, ANFA President Sherpa who first defied the allegation issued a press release and apologized for the remark.
“I did not mean to hurt the sentiments of any group, caste, gender, ethnic and linguistic community, region or geography, my remark was misinterpreted with crooked intention,” Sherpa has said in his statement, “yet, I apologize for it.”
Sherpa told Khabarhub that he has also got the news that someone has complained against him in FIFA and AFC.
“FIFA and AFC have not said anything so far. If they ask, I will send them the statement that I have issued,” ANFA President Sherpa said.
In the meantime, ANFA’s former President Narendra Shrestha also said he has written to the football’s global body.
“Sherpa’s statement has put Nepal’s football at stake, so I have written to FIFA and AFC,” Shrestha said.
Here in Nepal, the complaint against Sherpa has also reached to Prime Minister KP Oli.