Organizing the first press conference after his appointment as the acting president, Shrestha claimed that FIFA officials had telephoned him prior to banning Thapa and asked him to take over as ANFA president. Thapa was banned for 10 years by FIFA's independent Ethics Committee and also fined him around Rs 2.1 million for his involvement in corruption.Shrestha was appointed the acting president of ANFA by the establishment faction a couple of days before Thapa's ban. Shrestha, however, was not in the executive body of ANFA.
"The officials from FIFA disclosed about the ban on Thapa only after my appointment as acting president," said Shrestha. "I have assumed the responsibility at a tough period and I am confident that I can lead football on the right track through my long experience in this sector," said Shrestha.
"I also have strong backing from FIFA and AFC and I also expect the same from the government and the National Sports Council (NSC)," he shared, adding that he shall run ANFA in a transparent way. "I shall try to run the programs as per the calendar. I will try to include all (dissatisfied faction) on the basis of our statute."
Ignoring the directives given by the NSC not to take any policy-level decision, the meeting also took some decisions.
Shrestha also said that he shall take initiation to end all disputes within ANFA through general assembly. "We shall promptly call general assembly and try to end all disputes through it."
ANFA, which had called the annual general assembly on September 2, was forced to stop it following an interim order by the Patan Appellate Court. The court had taken such decision acting on the basis of writ filed by a sacked vice president of ANFA.
Acting President Shrestha said that the dissident faction will also be included in the upcoming general assembly. "ANFA shall run on the basis of its statute without prejudice to anyone. They shall be included in the general assembly and allowed to keep their views."
The a meeting of ANFA decided to vote for AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in the election for FIFA President to be held on February 26. Similarly, the meeting also decided to host the AFC U-14 Girls Championship Final on December 20 interrupted due to the April 25 earthquake. Nepal will take on Bangladesh in the final. The meeting also decided to use signature of Shrestha in place of banned Thapa for finance.
Furnishing clarification on the directives of the NSC, Shrestha said that ANFA took such decision without defying the NSC's directive only to run day-to-day activities.
Shrestha also said that Thapa was automatically suspended after punishment by the FIFA and there was no need for ANFA to take action against him.
"He (Thapa), however, has the right to appeal against the FIFA decision and also challenge it at Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS). He gets 30-day time for that and we are waiting for that. If the decision comes against him during the appeal or at CAS, I think he shall resign or else we shall sack him," Shrestha clarified.
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