The District Government Attorney’s Office in Lalitpur has charged four high-ranking officials of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), including the president and general secretary, with financial misconduct related to the sport.
The individuals charged are ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, General Secretary Kiran Rai, Treasurer Rabindra Joshi, and Accounts Officer Sanjiv Pandey.
These charges follow an investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police into alleged financial irregularities linked to the 2024 World Cup Qualifier match against Bahrain, equipment purchases, ticket distribution, and sponsorship agreements.
The case has been filed in the Lalitpur District Court under the National Sports Development Act, 2020, and the National Penal Code, 2017. The issue is currently under judicial consideration.
Investigation Addresses Match Fixing Concerns
The CIB investigation has raised concerns regarding ANFA’s arrangements for the 2024 World Cup Qualifier match against Bahrain.
It is alleged that the pitch at Dasharath Stadium was unsuitable for an international match, and ANFA officials did not adequately address the criticism regarding the pitch conditions.
The investigation claims that General Secretary Kiran Rai signed an agreement to host the match in Bahrain before receiving directives from the Asian Football Confederation to select a neutral venue on March 8, 2024.
Additionally, the agreement was reportedly signed without approval from ANFA’s executive committee and without notifying the Ministry of Youth and Sports or the National Sports Council.
The CIB also states that travel arrangements for 23 players and 17 officials for the overseas match were made without necessary clearances.
The CIB asserts that ANFA’s actions may have harmed Nepal’s interests regarding the match, while the case remains under judicial consideration.
Investigation Questions $20,000 in Ticket Proceeds
The CIB is also examining the agreement concerning ticket sale proceeds for the match between Nepal and Bahrain.
The report indicates that ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai and Bahraini counterpart Rashid Al Zabi agreed that Bahrain would send USD 20,000 to ANFA from ticket sales.
However, this amount was allegedly not deposited into ANFA’s official account. Joshi informed the CIB that he was unaware of this contribution.
The ticket proceeds have become a key issue in the case, alongside the pitch condition and other irregularities within ANFA.
Treasurer and Accounts Officer in Custody
ANFA Treasurer Rabindra Joshi and Accounts Officer Sanjiv Pandey are currently in CIB custody as part of the investigation.
The government attorney’s office is also seeking the arrest of President Pankaj Bikram Nembang and General Secretary Kiran Rai, as reported.
The investigation focuses on ANFA’s financial dealings and decision-making processes, examining possible violations of national laws and regulations.
The CIB is reviewing the procurement process and policies related to football matches to determine if the officials acted improperly or illegally.
It is alleged that the respondents took actions harmful to ANFA’s interests, including procuring goods and services from unauthorized sources.
Case Highlights Concerns About Nepalese Football
This case has raised significant concerns about the governance of football in Nepal, extending beyond the 2024 World Cup Qualifier match to scrutinize ANFA’s financial practices.
The case is set to proceed to court, where evidence against the four ANFA officials will be presented.
Despite the charges, the respondents have not been convicted of any wrongdoing.
This situation has reignited discussions about ethics and governance in Nepalese football, prompting government action against ANFA officials for alleged financial misconduct.