Image source, ANFA
The Department of Immigration issued a directive forbidding foreign players on tourist visas from participating in the men’s and women’s National League football competitions, leading the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) to suspend both leagues currently ongoing in Kathmandu.
ANFA released a statement announcing the suspension of the leagues due to technical reasons until further notice.
Among the 17 clubs participating in the men’s National League, Chitlang Football Club reportedly has obtained the necessary work permits for their foreign players.
The men’s league had three matches scheduled for Thursday. Two matches — between Chitlang FC and Laligurans FC, and Tribhuvan Army Club versus Satdobato Youth Club — were played with foreign players participating. However, the evening fixture between Machhindra Club and APF was suspended.
Both women’s league matches scheduled for the day took place as planned.
Notice from the Immigration Department
Image source, ANFA
Prior complaints were filed with the National Sports Council and the Immigration Department alleging that foreign players were fielded without proper work permits.
Following this, on March 14, the National Sports Council sent a letter to ANFA requesting a list of foreign players participating without work permits.
In a letter sent today to ANFA, Immigration Department Director Tikaram Dhakal stated that monitoring has begun immediately, and any foreign player found participating in sport contrary to visa terms without work permits will face immediate action, prompting ANFA to reconsider its position.
When contacted, ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah cited technical issues as the reason for suspending the league.
However, he mentioned that ANFA has requested the National Sports Council to grant work permits for foreign players participating in both league competitions.
ANFA had previously corresponded with the Department of Immigration on January 12 regarding the National League and on February 11 concerning the ANFA Women’s League.
Challenging Work Permit Procedure
Image source, ANFA
Ram Joshi, a member of Bhagwati Club, participating in the National League, said the club has repeatedly sent correspondence to the Department of Immigration and the Ministry for work permit approvals, but the process has been delayed.
He told the news outlet, “We have repeatedly sent letters, but they have not granted the permits. When concerns arose about the lack of football matches and player unemployment, we invested millions to run the league. If the league stops, how will we recover those funds? Who will understand the club’s difficulties?”
An ANFA official stated that foreign players only participated following government agreement.
According to him, former Youth and Sports Minister Bablu Gupta, the Secretary of the Department of Immigration, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had agreed to initiate efforts to streamline the cumbersome work permit process to a more straightforward single-window system while allowing foreign players on three-month visas to compete in the meantime.
He said, “Under this arrangement, foreign players participated in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) without any obstacles.”
The complex work permit process has been repeatedly cited as a challenge by club officials, who mention it can take up to one and a half months to obtain approval.
Ram Joshi of Bhagwati Club added, “It takes one and a half months just moving the file from one desk to another. By then, matches might already be concluded.”
Severe Penalty Issued Previously
Previously, in 2022, during the Shahid Smarak A Division League, Thirstar Club was penalized by ANFA for fielding foreign players without work permits in a match against Jawalakhel Club; the result of the match was overturned.
Consequently, Thirstar Club was relegated.
However, ANFA has not applied such penalties this time.
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