Kathmandu, Oct.18: Ganesh Thapa, the newly elected Chairman of the rival All Nepal Football Association( ANFA) filed a contempt of court case against the Education Ministry and the National Sports Council which declared it illegal last week and appointed another an hoc executive committee to administer the sport in Nepal.

The National Sports Council chaired by Education Minister Amod Prasad Upadhaya last week appointed Mrs. Gita Rana to run the daily administration of the ANFA after the five year term of Thapa expired. Rana is the first woman to head the organization. But Thapa was re-elected Chairman for another term against the wishes of the Council and the government Monday.

Lawyers for Thapa said the action of the Council to dismiss the former captain of the national team as head of the ANFA was a contempt of court because the Supreme Court had issued a stay order to the Council to maintain the status quo in the supreme national body administering the most popular sport in Nepal until it gave its verdict on a complaint.

FIFA representative and Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation  Manipal Fernando will submit a report on the split to the soccer’s world governing body in October. Fernando had come to Nepal to observe the Thapa elections.

Nepali soccer will suffer temporarily until FIFA gives its verdict. The world governing body could suspend its Goal Project to promote the game in Nepal. Nepal is the first country in South Asia to receive FIFA funding.