Kathmandu: International football governing body FIFA confirmed that All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) former president Ganesh Thapa’s 10-year ban from all football related activities has expired. 

An official source of FIFA on Thursday evening in a written statement said, “FIFA confirms that Mr Ganesh Thapa’s 10-year sanction expired on 16 April, 2025.” 

Earlier in the morning, issuing a press statement Thapa had claimed that his 10-year ban from all football related activities imposed by  FIFA  ended on Tuesday.  “My suspension from all football related activities has now concluded after a difficult ten-year period,” Thapa said. 

But ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, however, said that he was unaware if Thapa’s ban had ended or not.  “I am not sure, if 10 years has passed then his ban might have ended,” said Nembang, adding, “Even if his ban has ended he won’t be eligible to be associated with district associations or football clubs. But he can come to the stadium and other tournaments to watch the game.”  

The Adjudicatory Chamber of the Independent Ethics Committee of FIFA had imposed the suspension with immediate effect on November 16, 2015 and a fined him 20,000 Swiss Francs alleging of misconduct. 

Thapa, the longest serving president of the ANFA, had been at the helm of football governing body for two decades from 1995 until he faced 10-year ban by FIFA. Also the former member and vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, he said: “This journey has been challenging, but I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the unwavering support and encouragement I received from my family members, friends and well wishers.”

Meanwhile, Thapa also attended a Nepal Super League match between Dhangadhi FC and Chitwan FC along with his family members for the first time after a decade at the Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.   

Thapa attended Nepal Super League match at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.