KATHMANDU, JULY 22
The inaugural edition of the ANFA U-16 Youth League fell into turmoil after six of the 10 participating teams decided not to participate in the tournament.
Four matches - Manang Marsyangdi Club vs Machhindra FC, Nepal Police Club vs APF Football Academy, Tribhuvan Army FC vs Friends Club and FC Khumaltar vs New Road Team - were scheduled for Saturday at Chyasal, Satdobato and Sallaghari, but only one was played.
The row surfaced after the All Nepal Football Association snubbed New Road Team for fielding an overage player in the squad against TAFC and handed a 3-0 victory to the opponents.
The TAFC had filed a complaint with ANFA after their 5-1 defeat at the hands of NRT.
NRT decided not to participate in the tournament accusing the ANFA of not properly investigating the case. Because of the no show from NRT at theChyasal Stadium, Khumaltar were handed with a 3-0 victory. MMC, Sankata Club, Church Boys United and Friends also decided to remain out of the tournament and FC Khumaltar also joined the group later.
Machhindra and Army also received 3-0 victories after their opponents did not report at the grounds.
In the lone match played on Saturday, APF Academy salvaged a 2-2 draw with NPC. NPC took 2-0 lead in the first half after Nabin Oli struck in the 17th and 25th minute but APF hit back with a brace from Rohit Gole, who scored in the 49th and 61st minutes.
ANFA Spokesperson Suresh Shahi said the decision was reached based on the medical tests. "We received a protest from TAFC and we sent the player for medical check up as per the international practice," said Shahi. "The decision was taken solely on the basis of medical reports but the NRT officials have been arguing to follow the certificates. Three clubs have verbally informed us of not taking part in the tournament and we will make further decision after consulting all stakeholders," he added.
NRT President Sundar Joshi accused the ANFA of ignoring government documents.
"We signed the players after going through the papers submitted by them and ANFA has no right to ignore the documents issued by the government," he said. "Doctors also say that the MRI reports are not 100 per cent accurate. If MRI is the basis of selection, the ANFA need to conduct MRI tests of all the players who are playing in the tournament. There is no point of playing under such scenario," he added. "And the ANFA called us for a meeting yesterday but neither of the top officials showed up," Joshi said.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 23, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
