Kathmandu, October 8
The District Government Attorney’s Office in Lalitpur is reviewing an investigation report submitted by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) concerning alleged match-fixing and fraud within the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).
The CIB on Wednesday submitted its investigation report recommending prosecution of four people, including ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang and General Secretary Kiran Rai, to the District Government Attorney’s Office, Lalitpur.
According to the CIB’s investigation, the four individuals were involved in financial irregularities amounting to Rs 6.65 million.
District Attorney Ganesh Poudel said the office received the report on Wednesday and is currently studying its findings.
“We received the report on Wednesday and are studying it. We will make a decision by tomorrow,” Poudel told Onlinekhabar.
The office is expected to decide by Friday whether to file a case based on the CIB investigation.
The CIB raided the ANFA headquarters on September 18 and arrested Treasurer Rabindra Joshi and accountant Sanjiv Pandey as part of the investigation.
Following the arrests, ANFA President Nembang and General Secretary Rai have reportedly been out of contact.
The investigation began following complaints alleging serious financial irregularities, corruption and abuse of authority within ANFA.
The complaints alleged that ANFA sold home-game rights in a manner contrary to national interests and the country’s reputation, defied directives from the National Sports Council, distributed illegal allowances, and engaged in commission-related irregularities and corruption involving hotel rates during the Women’s SAFF Championship.
The complaints also alleged unauthorised foreign trips, misuse of grant funds and unnecessary appointments.
Investigators were also asked to examine alleged irregularities in tenders conducted at different times and alleged corruption in awarding marketing, digital, broadcasting and ticketing rights for various competitions.
Meanwhile, FIFA has suspended ANFA since June 24, citing third-party interference in the football body.
