Thursday's events were very dramatic for Nepali football. One incident after another occurred in a series. This has not only added more confusion to Nepali football, but the situation has also become equally critical. 

While the Martyrs' Memorial Women's League was being held at the Chyasal Stadium and the Men's National League was being held at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, the letter from the Immigration Department of the Government of Nepal was made public. It had instructed that foreign players on tourist visas should not play. 

The department issued this directive regarding foreign players in a letter to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). It has clearly stated that no foreign citizen on a tourist visa should be involved in any professional sports activities. If found involved in activities contrary to the purpose of the visa, immediate legal action will be taken. This letter has raised complex questions about the legal legitimacy of the current national league.

Apart from the departmental teams APF, Army and Police, most of the teams playing in the national league have foreign players. These players are also key members of the team. All these developments have come to the fore after complaints were received that some clubs had fielded foreign players on tourist visas in the competition. Article 20 of the Immigration Regulations 2051 states that a foreign citizen who obtains a visa cannot do any work other than the purpose for which the visa was obtained. 

Department Director Tikaram Dhakal said that if foreign players need to be included in any game, they have been sent a letter to do so only after obtaining a work consent and labor permit as per the rules. ‘This department has started monitoring in this regard from today, and if foreign players who have not obtained permission are found to be participating in any game against the purpose of their visa, immediate action will be taken and they will be informed as per the decision,’ said a statement issued by Director Dhakal on Thursday. 

The department has also sent this information to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council as a reminder. There is a provision in the Immigration Law that if such foreigners are allowed to participate against the decision of the Immigration Department, they can be fined and deported to their own country. Immediately after this letter, ANFA first said that the national league has been postponed until further notice.

Two matches were held on Thursday. First, Laligurans defeated Chitlang FC. Then, Tribhuvan Army Club won against Satdobato.

Shortly after that, an announcement was made that the Martyrs' Memorial Women's League was also postponed indefinitely. The league had only started on Wednesday. Two matches were held on Thursday. In that, Bagmati defeated RS Pokhara and Police defeated Church Boys. Sankata, which is playing the women's league, also has four foreign players. According to ANFA officials, the letter from the immigration department is the main reason behind the postponement of both leagues.

According to some officials of clubs involving foreign players, they have continuously written to the National Sports Council for work permits, but there has been a delay from there. Moreover, ANFA's top officials say that the decision to play foreign players was made with the government's consent, but now they are trying to ignore it.

Amid all these developments, it was made public on Thursday that the council had written an additional letter to ANFA. It said that the ANFA election to be held without its approval will not be valid. It said that if the Ordinary Congress and all the processes related to the election are carried out without its knowledge and approval, they will not be recognized. ANFA had earlier prepared to hold the election on Chaitra 13. The election committee has also made public the final list of candidates after hearing the complaints and objections. The council has also directed to immediately suspend the same process and complete the necessary paperwork and provide information within three days.