Kathmandu: Senior Vice President of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Bir Bahadur Khadka, currently under suspension, and Vice President Birat Jung Shah among others have objected to the football body’s early election scheduled for February 11, calling it unlawful and against the statute.

The ANFA Executive Committee, led by President Pankaj Nembang, decided on December 31 to hold the election nearly four months ahead of schedule and initiated the process. The decision to allow district committees elected four years ago to vote without holding fresh district elections has also drawn criticism from football stakeholders.

In a statement issued Tuesday jointly by Khadka, Shah along with executive committee members Rupesh Adhikari and Rabindra Chand have stated that the move violates both national law and ANFA’s statute.

“The decision contradicts the laws of the country and goes against ANFA’s statute and the authority of its highest body, the General Assembly,” the statement said, urging President Nembang and General Secretary Kiran Rai to immediately amend the decision through the Executive Committee.

The National Sports Council has directed ANFA not to proceed with the election, while the Patan High Court has issued an interim order halting the process.

The vice presidents accused Nembang and Rai of misleading Executive Committee and General Assembly members to push through the early election decision.

They warned that the President and General Secretary would be held fully responsible if the election is forced through and any adverse incident occurs.

The duo also said they have formally approached FIFA, seeking action under Article 26 of its Code of Ethics for alleged abuse of authority.

According to the statement, the Executive Committee had earlier resolved to hold ANFA’s Central Executive Committee election for the 2026–2030 term only after completing elections of all member institutions, a decision unanimously endorsed by the General Assembly in Dhulikhel.

“Despite this clear mandate, the leadership is attempting to extend its tenure unlawfully,” the statement said.