AFC imposes $35,000 fine on ANFA

Kathmandu, October 25

The Asian Football Confederation has slapped a fine of $35,000 to All Nepal Football Association for violating the AFC Club Licensing Regulations.

The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee decided to impose the fine after the ANFA was found to have awarded the Club License to various ‘A’ division outfits without fulfilling the criteria. Out of the $35,000 fine, the AFC has ordered the ANFA to pay $10,000 within 30 days.

“The All Nepal Football Association is ordered to pay a fine of $35,000 for violating article 4C(a) of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations. In accordance with Articles 34.1 and 34.3 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, $25,000 of the amount is suspended for a probationary period of two years. Should another violation of a similar nature occur within the probationary period, the suspension is automatically revoked and the sanction applied; it is added to the sanction pronounced for new infringement,” said the AFC in its decision.

The ANFA had awarded the Club License to nine ‘A’ division outfits earlier this year after the AFC made it mandatory for the clubs to take part in the AFC events. All 14 clubs had requested the ANFA to issue license but the governing body had awarded it to nine clubs — Manang Marshyangdi Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Chyasal Youth Club, Three Star Club, Machhindra Football Club, Himalayan Sherpa Club, Sankata Club, Nepal Police Club and Nepal APF Club.

The AFC had set 18 measures, including training facilities, players’ contract, coaches, marketing, media manager and financial plans, to be met before awarding the License but the ANFA was found to have issued the license despite the clubs not fulfilling the standard for the same. After receiving the license, Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League champions MMC had taken part in the first round of the AFC Cup earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee also suspended Nepal head coach Bishnu Gurung for misconduct during the Central and South Zone Qualification Tournament for the AFC Futsal Championship 2020 in Iran. Gurung was expelled “for failing to conduct himself in a responsible manner” during the match against Tajikistan on Wednesday.

“Bishnu Gurung is suspended for one match and ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 in accordance with Article 48.2 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code,” the AFC said, adding the coach was “informed that a repeat violation of this provision may be met with more severe punishment.”

Nepal lost all three matches in the tournament. They faced a 6-2 defeat at the hands of Afghanistan on Friday. They had opened the campaign with a 4-1 loss against Uzbekistan before suffering a 6-0 defeat against Tajikistan in the Group A matches.

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