KATHMANDU, MARCH 9
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has strongly condemned an unexpected lockout of its central office in Satdobato by the Nepal Football Players Association, calling the action undisciplined and anarchic and warning that it risks derailing not only domestic competitions but critical international fixtures including FIFA series matches, AFC qualification games and the SAFF U-20 Championship.
The lockout, carried out on a public holiday on March 8 without any prior notice or dialogue, was initiated by the Nepal Football Players Association, a member body of ANFA itself, over a three-point set of demands related to the A Division League, a player welfare fund and outstanding prize money and allowances.
ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah said the association was already committed to all three demands and that the lockout was therefore not only unnecessary but self-defeating.
On the A Division League, ANFA said it remains fully committed to starting the Shahid Smarak A Division League one month after the conclusion of the ongoing National League, in line with a schedule agreed through continuous dialogue among ANFA, participating clubs and the players association itself. However, ANFA noted that with its central office locked, implementing that very commitment had been made impossible.
On the player welfare fund, ANFA said it has already decided to deposit a portion of ticket revenue from the final of the International Women's Championship into the fund and remains committed to that decision.
On prize money and allowances, ANFA clarified that all prizes announced by the current executive committee have been fully paid. Outstanding amounts declared by previous committees will be settled gradually as internal funds become available, while regular salary and allowance payments are continuing as per regulations and will continue to do so.
ANFA questioned the logic of the lockout directly. "How can the A Division League be organised with the central office locked?" the association said in its statement, adding that the ongoing National League, ANFA U-16 League, ANFA Women's League, FIFA Series women's matches, a friendly against Hong Kong, the AFC qualification match between Nepal and Laos, and SAFF U-20 Championship preparations were all now at risk.
ANFA noted that the lockout involved not only players association members but also national team players, National League participants and outside individuals - conduct it described as going well beyond the duties and responsibilities of a member organisation.
The association called on all parties involved to lift the lockout immediately, warning that if Nepali football activities are disrupted as a result, full responsibility will rest with those who initiated and continued the action.
ANFA also appealed to the government and relevant security agencies to ensure the safety of its physical infrastructure and the uninterrupted conduct of its daily operations.