Kathmandu: The National Sports Council (NSC) on Friday lifted the three-month suspension imposed on the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on May 5, ending a prolonged deadlock in Nepali football.

The country’s apex sports body had suspended ANFA, alleging that the football governing body repeatedly defied its directives and proceeded with its electoral process in an arbitrary manner.

According to NSC Member Secretary Ram Charitra Meheta, a meeting held on Friday among ANFA officials, Minister for Youth and Sports Sasmit Pokharel and other stakeholders decided to revoke the suspension.

“The suspension was lifted to pave the way for direct dialogue with FIFA and ANFA representatives in order to resolve the ongoing crisis in Nepali football,” Meheta said. “FIFA had informed us that it would only be available for in-person discussions once the suspension was withdrawn.”

Meheta further said FIFA and ANFA maintained that meaningful dialogue would not be possible while the football governing body remained under suspension.

In a statement posted on Facebook, ANFA welcomed the decision, saying: “We welcome the decision to unconditionally lift the suspension imposed by the NSC on March 25, bringing an end to the deadlock in Nepali football.”

The football body also expressed gratitude to the Government of Nepal, Minister Sasmit Pokharel, Chief Advisor Siddhi Byanjankar, Raju Singh, NSC Member Secretary Ram Charitra Meheta and the entire team involved in facilitating the decision.

According to NSC sources, ANFA has agreed to hold its executive committee election only after conducting fresh district-level elections and amending its statute in line with the NSC’s directives.

The NSC had suspended ANFA just two days before the football body was scheduled to hold an early election. Following the suspension, ANFA cancelled its planned electoral general assembly.

ANFA leadership under president Pankaj Nembang had announced elections nearly three months before the completion of its four-year tenure on June 18, allowing voting rights to district committees elected four years ago.

Following the suspension, global football governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation urged the NSC to lift the ban and engage in “constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to find common ground,” warning that failure to do so could result in an international suspension for Nepal.