The District Government Attorney’s Office in Lalitpur is reviewing an investigative report from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) concerning allegations of match-fixing, financial misconduct, and fraud involving ANFA officials.
The CIB submitted its report on Wednesday, recommending legal action against four ANFA officials, including the president and general secretary, along with the treasurer and accountant.
CIB Reports Rs 6.65 Million in Irregularities
The irregular transactions linked to ANFA reportedly involved nearly Rs 6.65 million.
District Attorney Ganesh Poudel confirmed that the attorney’s office received the report on Wednesday and is currently assessing the findings and the legality of the evidence.
Further action will be taken to file charges against the accused based on the CIB’s findings.
Investigation into ANFA Financial Activities
The investigation began after multiple complaints about financial mismanagement, corruption, and abuse of power by ANFA officials.
Reported irregularities include issues with the procurement of football kits, match-fixing, unauthorized allowances, travel expenses, and misuse of funds within the organization’s budget. The investigation also addresses claims of unauthorized staff appointments within ANFA.
Additionally, the CIB examined allegations related to the improper distribution of marketing, digital, broadcasting, and ticketing rights for various events, along with tender irregularities.
Nepal-Bahrain Matches Under Scrutiny
A significant issue reviewed by the CIB is the decision to hold Nepal’s home and away World Cup and Asian Cup preliminary matches in Bahrain.
The CIB investigated whether moving the venue from Kathmandu to Bahrain violated any laws or harmed Nepal’s interests.
The report indicates that this issue is part of the broader irregularities concerning offenses against the state.
Furthermore, the CIB looked into the procurement of jerseys and other kits, which totaled over Rs 6.65 million, without following the proper tender process.
Two Officials Arrested
During the CIB investigation, the ANFA office in Bhaktapur was searched on September 18, leading to the arrest of treasurer Rabindra Joshi and accountant Sanjiv Pandey. Following this, president Pankaj Bikram Nembang and general secretary Kiran Rai went into hiding.
The government attorney’s office will decide the next steps in the legal process based on the CIB’s evidence.
However, the charges against the ANFA officials have not yet been proven, and the court will determine their guilt based on the evidence collected.