KATHMANDU: The Patan High Court has overturned a decision by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) that barred former president Ganesh Thapa from participating in any football activities.
The court annulled ANFA’s ban, imposed on July 25, after Thapa challenged it, ruling that the decision did not conform to principles of justice.
Thapa, who has already served a 10-year suspension imposed by FIFA, had been penalized by two ANFA committees, the Disciplinary Committee and the Ethics Committee, prohibiting him from engaging in football-related activities. The Disciplinary Committee issued its order on April 17, and the Ethics Committee followed on April 29 under ANFA’s statute Section 24(3)(ṅ).
However, a bench of judges Munindra Raj Awasthi and Krishna Raj Koirala concluded that since Thapa had already faced FIFA’s sanctions, no further domestic action was necessary. The court also directed ANFA not to take or enforce any action preventing Thapa from participating in football activities.
Earlier, Thapa had filed a contempt of court petition after ANFA reportedly barred him from attending its general assembly in Dhulikhel, Kavre, on May 9, contrary to an interim order. However, the court dismissed that petition, citing lack of grounds.
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