Former president of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), Ganesh Thapa, has officially announced the end of his 10-year ban from all football-related activities.
Ban Imposed by FIFA in 2015
In a press release issued on Thursday, Thapa shared that the ban imposed on him by FIFA on April 16, 2015, officially ended on April 15, 2025.
“I want to inform everyone that the ban placed on me has been lifted. FIFA had imposed the ban on April 16, 2015, and it came to an end on April 15, 2025,” Ganesh Thapa stated.
Reasons Behind the Ban
Thapa was found guilty by FIFA’s Ethics Committee of breaching multiple rules, including corruption and bribery. He was barred from participating in any football activities for 10 years and was fined 2.1 million Nepali rupees.
Although Thapa claimed the ban began in April 2015, FIFA had officially announced the 10-year suspension in November 2015.
Thapa’s Role in Football
Before his suspension, Ganesh Thapa had a long career in football:
- Former player and captain of the Nepal national football team
- Vice-President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
- President of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)
- Chairman of the AFC Challenge Cup and President’s Cup
- Member of several FIFA committees
With the ban now over, it remains to be seen whether Thapa will attempt a return to football administration or remain out of the spotlight.
