By Sachit Subba • Off-Field • Mar 26, 2026 15:26 PM • 29 views
JHAPA — In a dramatic standoff between sport and state, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) retreated from its defiant path on Friday, indefinitely postponing its controversial “early election” amid fears of a government crackdown. The decision came late Thursday evening after the National Sports Council (NSC) slapped the football governing body with a three-month suspension, effectively stripping the current leadership of its legal standing. The beautiful game has hit an ugly stalemate.
The dispute escalated when the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) ignored a 24-hour ultimatum from the National Sports Council (NSC). ANFA stated that delegates from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had already arrived in Jhapa and that any cancellation would prompt an international ban. ANFA claimed its autonomy allowed it to bypass government directives, especially after a court declined to stay the polls. The NSC responded that ANFA repeatedly violated national sports laws by attempting an election without state approval. The government stood firm.
(AI generated image as sarcasm )
Internal sources suggest the ANFA leadership even considered a “secret ballot” to evade interference before realising the sheer scale of the opposition. Faced with reports that the state was prepared to deploy security forces to halt the proceedings and that rival factions were planning mass protests at the venue, the election committee finally buckled. Spokesperson Suresh Shah confirmed the retreat, noting that the risk of “state force” made the scheduled vote impossible to execute. The gates in Jhapa remained locked.
The rebellion within the football fraternity further isolated the organisers as the Deep Bahadur KC faction officially boycotted the event. Citing the NSC’s suspension as a definitive legal barrier, the group refused to participate in what they labelled an “illegitimate” process. While ANFA leadership prepares a press conference to defend their actions, the council remains firm that international mandates cannot override the laws of the land. Football’s future now hangs in the balance.
