Army personnel had forcefully taken away its players -- goalkeeper Bikash Malla and midfielder Raju Tamang -- from the closed camp on March 11, a day ahead of Nepal´s last match in the AFC Challenge Cup final rounds citing First South Asian Army Sports Meet. [break]
A day later, Nepal played against Turkmenistan without the two players.
ANFA disciplinary committee meeting held on Thursday decided to take action against the departmental team and has also warned the club not to repeat such a move.
According to a press statement issued by ANFA, the act of taking away players in such a way has violated ANFA´s regulation.
Player, coach punished
The disciplinary committee meeting has also punished former national player Jagjeet Shrestha and Sankata coach Shyam Mali for violating the rule of game.
Shrestha has been banned from playing in any of the football tournament to be held across country for a month. Mali has also been banned from coaching duties for a month.
Similarly, the committee has also sought their commitment not to repeat the mistakes.
The ban will be effective from April 13.
Shrestha had refused to accept the award during Birat Gold Cup Football Tournament after his team was crowned the champion in Biratnagar about a week ago defeating African United in the final.
Shrestha, a product of ANFA Academy, was enraged after he was substituted in the final match. While returning to the players´ box, Shrestha had kicked water bottles and did not speak with any of the teammate as well as coach Nawal Gurung. He also did not participate in the team´s victory celebration.
Similarly, Mali did not attend the prize distribution ceremony of National B Division Football League Tournament on Tuesday after his side finished third.
Sankata finished third after it was defeated 1-0 by champion Madhyapur Youth Association in the league´s last match. With a victory over Madhyapur, Sankata could have lifted the trophy.
Related story
Tribhuvan Army Club, Friend's Club play goalless draw in ‘A’ Di...
