KATHMANDU: The National Sports Council (NSC) has rejected a request to lift the international travel ban imposed on 24 All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) officials and staff, including President Pankaj Bikram Nembang.

The delegation sought to clear the restriction using letters from FIFA and AFC, but the NSC maintained that the ban would not be revoked under current conditions.

The travel restriction was implemented following an NSC recommendation to the Department of Immigration, which blacklisted six office bearers, fourteen central committee members, and four staff members—including the General Secretary, CEO, Treasurer, and Spokesperson.

The only central committee member exempted is Rabindra Chand.

The restrictions also apply to both establishment faction supporters and internal leadership critics.

The decision impacts top leadership plans to attend the upcoming FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico.

While the NSC previously lifted its institutional suspension on ANFA after the association agreed to hold tiered elections, the individual travel bans remain fully active.