SATV, Kathmandu, Apr. 6: The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have warned that the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) will face suspension if elections are not ensured within seven days.

In a joint letter sent on Saturday to ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai, FIFA and the AFC directed that the election process must be resumed and finalised within seven days of receipt. 

The National Sports Council had suspended ANFA for three months on 25 March, claiming it was attempting to hold elections without approval. 

Following the suspension, ANFA leadership postponed the elections scheduled for 27 March in Jhapa.

FIFA and the AFC expressed concern that the NSC's attempted to halt ANFA’s elections and imposed a three‑month suspension, which they described as a third-party interference. 

The letter states, the decision of NSC "clearly prevents ANFA from managing its affair independently and constitutes a clear case of undue third-party interference."

Both organisations have repeatedly warned against third‑party involvement, particularly from the NSC and the courts, in ANFA’s electoral process. 

Under FIFA statutes, every member association must manage its affairs independently, free from undue influence. 

ANFA’s current executive committee is due to complete its term in June 2026, but elections had been scheduled for February 2026 with FIFA and AFC approval. 

The NSC, however, refused to endorse the plan, insisting on statute amendments and directing ANFA to delay elections until district associations had revised their own statutes.

FIFA clarified that such amendments are not a prerequisite for district and provincial elections. 

FIFA has labelled this move a clear case of “third‑party interference” and has given the NSC seven days to withdraw its suspension and allow the election process to proceed.

“Should NSC not revoke its decision and confirm in writing to ANFA within seven days of receiving this letter and ANFA does not provide written assurance that the NSC suspension has no effect and that the electoral process has resumed from its previous state, the matter will be submitted to the FIFA Council for the immediate suspension of ANFA," the letter said.

Failure to comply within the deadline will see ANFA immediately suspended by the FIFA Council. 

"Such a sanction would bar Nepal from all international competitions, freeze development funds and financial assistance, and prevent other FIFA member nations from engaging in any football activity, including friendlies, with ANFA," the letter, signed by FIFA Chief Member Association Officer, Elkhan Mammadov and AFC Deputy General Secretary- Member Association, Vahid Kardany stated.