KATHMANDU, Dec 20: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has imposed a fine on the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) for disciplinary violations during an official competition.
The AFC fined ANFA USD 2,000 after Nepal entered the pitch late in both halves of its AFC Asian Cup qualifiers match against Malaysia on November 18. Nepal was delayed by one minute and 20 seconds at the start of the first half and by one minute and 30 seconds in the second half. Malaysia were also fined USD 2,500 for the same offense.
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Nepal was eliminated from the tournament after finishing bottom of Group F and failed to register a single point, losing all five matches. Malaysia topped the group to qualify for next year’s tournament in Saudi Arabia, while Vietnam finished second with 12 points from five matches. Laos collected three points.
In the same match, Malaysian defender Mohammad Faisal bin Abdul Halim, who was named Player of the Match, was handed a separate cash fine for failing to attend the mandatory post-match press conference. The AFC Disciplinary Committee fined him USD 10,000 for the breach. The Malaysia Football Association was also fined USD 10,000 for not ensuring the player’s attendance at the post-match media briefing.
