By Sachit Subba • Football • Mar 19, 2026 15:15 PM • 28 views
KATHMANDU – The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has suspended the Men’s and Women’s National League tournaments in the capital. This follows a Department of Immigration directive regarding foreign players competing without required labour permits.
This suspension has paused the season, placing fixture schedules on hold and creating uncertainty for several clubs.
The Legal Directive
The Department of Immigration’s action focuses on the visa status of international athletes. Officials state that foreign players entered Nepal on tourist visas, which do not permit paid professional activities.
A letter from the Department of Immigration to ANFA, delivered on Thursday, confirmed that monitoring of sporting events began earlier that week. The directive warned that any foreign national participating in matches in violation of their visa would face immediate legal consequences.
Impact on the Matchday
As a result of the suspension, Thursday evening’s match between Machhindra Club and APF was cancelled just hours before kickoff:
Chitlang FC vs Laligurans FC Tribhuvan Army Club vs Satdobato Youth Club Two fixtures in the Women’s National League
Although these games featured foreign players, concerns about regulatory compliance led ANFA to cancel all remaining matches. Currently, Chitlang FC is the only club among the 17 in the men’s top division reported to have secured official labour permits for its international players.
Institutional Standoff
Club representatives say bureaucratic hurdles have long slowed the process for securing labour permits, often taking over 45 days—sometimes outlasting the league’s duration. Current issues stem from permit applications submitted before the planned start of the season.
ANFA officials previously assumed that a three-month visa window would suffice, following a precedent set during the recent Nepal Premier League (NPL). The Department of Immigration is now strictly enforcing the law.
Historical Precedent
Labour permit issues have disrupted Nepali football before. In 2023 (2079 B.S.), Three Star Club faced disciplinary action for fielding undocumented foreign players, resulting in overturned match results and relegation. By suspending the league this year, ANFA aims to avoid similar scandals while negotiating with the Ministries of Home Affairs and Labour.
