KATHMANDU: FIFA has lifted its long-standing control funding restriction on the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), ending a four-year period of financial oversight that began in March 2021.
The ban was originally imposed by FIFA over concerns of financial irregularities and a lack of transparency within ANFA.
Under the restrictions, FIFA withheld direct access to its financial grants and instead controlled and monitored the disbursement of funds to Nepal’s football governing body.
However, during a meeting of FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee (GACC) held this past Thursday, the committee officially lifted the sanctions.
ANFA confirmed the decision in a statement, saying FIFA’s latest move reflects its trust in the current leadership’s commitment to financial transparency and good governance.
With the restriction removed, ANFA now regains full and independent control over FIFA’s financial support. The association called the decision a significant milestone and credited it to the reform efforts and accountability mechanisms adopted since the current executive committee, led by President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, took office.
“This journey, which began with the goal of institutional reform, ending chaos and ensuring transparency after the election, has now reached a positive turning point,” ANFA stated in a press release issued Saturday.
FIFA’s latest move comes after ANFA was also recognized with the “AFC Member Association of the Year (Gold)” award in October 2024.
ANFA credited its collaboration with FIFA in helping revamp its financial system to align with international accounting standards. The association also pushed back against criticism directed at its leadership, stating that detractors motivated by bias and self-interest have attempted to obstruct Nepal’s football development.
ANFA highlighted recent milestones in women’s football, including Nepal’s national team’s visit to Uzbekistan and the U-20 team’s participation in the ongoing SAFF Championship in Bangladesh.
These developments, it said, strengthen Nepal’s prospects of qualifying for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. On the men’s side, the senior team recently earned historic wins over Singapore and Afghanistan.
With FIFA’s funding ban lifted, ANFA plans to move ahead with grassroots football development, school-level tournaments, youth competitions, men’s and women’s leagues, the President’s League, and the A-Division League — all within set timelines.
The association also thanked Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for pledging support for a proposed stadium project in Kathmandu and reiterated its commitment to build its own stadium in the near future while upholding financial integrity and transparency.
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