‘A’ Division League falls into fresh uncertainty

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s top-tier men’s football league, the Martyrs’ Memorial ‘A’ Division League, has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after the Patan High Court ordered that the league be held only after resolving a dispute involving Three Star Club.

Issuing an interim order on Friday, the high court directed the Ministry of Youth and Sports to halt preparations for the league until the legal dispute is settled.

The league, Nepal’s premier men’s football league, has not been held since June 6, 2023, when top-flight debutants Church Boys United were crowned champions.

The decision comes just as the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) had announced plans to begin the long-delayed league from April 13, following mounting pressure from ‘A’ Division clubs and players.

However, the court ruled that proceeding with the league would be inappropriate until legal questions surrounding the Three Star Club are conclusively addressed. “Allow the league to be organised only after resolving the dispute,” the order stated.

The controversy stems from ANFA’s Appeal Committee decision on June 25, 2025, to relegate Three Star to the ‘B’ Division based on an appeal by Nepal APF Club that Three Star fielded ineligible players in the must-win fixture.

Challenging the decision, Three Star filed a petition at the Patan High Court on July 2 last year. On February 25, the high court overturned ANFA’s decision, effectively reinstating Three Star Club to the top flight.

A delegation of the Three Start Club on March 11 submitted a memorandum to ANFA officials demanding reinstatement of ‘A’ Division status and voting rights for the club in the upcoming ANFA election as per the court’s decision.

Amid the uncertainty, ANFA had sent letters to only 13 out of 14 ‘A’ Division clubs to register their teams for the league.

The High Court on Friday also ordered defendants to submit written explanations within 15 days why the interim order sought by the petitioner should not be issued.