KATHMANDU: The Patan High Court has issued an order directing the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) not to prevent former ANFA president Ganesh Thapa from participating in football activities.

Thapa had filed a case in the court after claiming that ANFA continued to bar him from football activities, even though a 10-year ban previously imposed by FIFA had already expired.

The court stated, “FIFA’s 10-year sanction against the petitioner has ended, yet ANFA attempted to impose further penalties on the same matter, putting him at double jeopardy. Repeated punishment for the same issue is not permissible under legal principles.”

The court further clarified that, according to prevailing laws, FIFA regulations, and ANFA’s statutes, Thapa cannot be barred from football activities.

The order, issued under Article 144 of the Constitution of Nepal, instructs ANFA not to take any action preventing Thapa from participating in football beyond the scope of applicable laws and regulations.