AFC dismisses Nepal footballers' appeal to lift life ban

KATHMANDU: The AFC Appeal Committee on Thursday dismissed appeals filed by four Nepal footballers and one coach against a lifetime ban imposed on them on the charge of match-fixing.

"The AFC Disciplinary Committee found official Anjan KC and the four players, Bikash Singh Chhetri, Sandip Rai, Ritesh Thapa and Sagar Thapa, guilty of violating article 62 and 69 of the AFC Disciplinary Code in relation to various friendly international A team fixtures during the period 2008-2012," read a statement issued by the Asian football regulatory body today, "Today’s decision confirms the ruling by the AFC Disciplinary Committee on December 5, 2015, banning the individuals for life from any football-related activities."

In December, the AFC had banned the five for life on match-fixing charges.

The decisions were made after a year-long investigation coordinated between the AFC and its partner Sportradar, as well as the Metropolitan Crime Division of the Nepal Police and the UEFA integrity unit.

The AFC had found Anjan KC guilty of violating AFC Disciplinary Code in two matches — Afghanistan vs Nepal on October 17, 2008 and Afghanistan vs Nepal on December 9 2009; Bikash Singh Chhetri in two matches — Afghanistan vs Nepal on October 17, 2008 and Nepal vs Malaysia U-23 on October 15, 2011; Ritesh Thapa in four matches — Afghanistan vs Nepal on October 17, 2008, Afghanistan vs Nepal on December 9, 2009, Nepal vs Philippines on October 11, 2011, Nepal vs Malaysia U-23 on October 15, 2011; Sagar Thapa in four matches — Afghanistan vs Nepal on October 17, 2008, Afghanistan vs Nepal on December 9, 2009, Nepal vs Philippines on October 11, 2011, Nepal vs Malaysia U-23 on October 15, 2011 ; and Sandip Rai in three matches — Afghanistan vs Nepal on December 9, 2009, Nepal vs Philippines on October 11, 2011, Nepal vs Malaysia U-23 on October 15, 2011.

The five, who face subversion charges at the Special Court in Nepal, are currently on bail.