Kathmandu, October 7
Nepal’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has recommended prosecution of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, General Secretary Kiran Rai and two other officials over alleged match-fixing and financial fraud.
The CIB submitted its investigation report to the Office of the Government Attorney on Wednesday, recommending that Nembang, Rai, Treasurer Rabindra Joshi and accountant Sanjiv Pandey be made defendants, CIB spokesperson Anupam Shamsher Rana told Onlinekhabar.
According to the CIB, its investigation found irregularities amounting to Rs 6.653 million.
The CIB raided the ANFA headquarters on September 18 and arrested Treasurer Joshi and accountant Pandey. ANFA President Nembang and Secretary-General Rai have been out of contact since the arrests.
The investigation followed complaints alleging serious financial irregularities, corruption and abuse of authority within ANFA.
The complaints included allegations of selling home-game rights in a manner contrary to national interests and the country’s reputation, defying instructions from the National Sports Council, distributing unauthorised allowances, and taking commissions and engaging in corruption in hotel arrangements for the Women’s SAFF Championship.
ANFA officials were also accused of undertaking foreign trips without approval, misusing grant funds and making unnecessary appointments.
The complaints further alleged that ANFA failed to follow prevailing laws while awarding various tenders and committed financial irregularities in awarding marketing, digital, broadcasting and ticketing rights for different competitions.
The CIB launched its investigation after complaints called for action over alleged corruption, serious irregularities and misuse of authority within the football governing body.
ANFA has been suspended by FIFA since June 24 over alleged third-party interference.
