FIFA suspends entire country from international football

In a statement published online, FIFA has banned an entire country from all involvement in football for an indefinite period.

In the latest FIFA world rankings, Nepal is currently ranked 117th, ahead of countries such as Barbados, Pakistan, Gibraltar and San Marino, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

As a result of third-party interference, the South Asian nation has now been suspended from football at all levels, along with all activities of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

Nepal's National Sports Council had previously imposed a three-month suspension on ANFA, although that decision was later overturned.

Following warnings from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, Nepal is now barred from participating in any international competitions after committing what FIFA described as “serious violations of the FIFA Statutes related to third-party interference.”

The country will also be ineligible to receive any funding from FIFA or the AFC during the suspension period.

“The Bureau of the Council also decided to suspend the All Nepal Football Association with immediate effect due to serious violations of the FIFA Statutes related to third-party interference, in accordance with Article 14 paragraphs 1(i) and 3 of the FIFA Statutes,” FIFA said in a statement.

Nepal's highest-ever FIFA ranking came between 1993 and 1994, when it reached 124th place in the world, while its lowest ranking was recorded in January 2016, when it dropped to 196th.

Photo: FIFA