Oct 01, Kathmandu - Nepal will not compete in this year’s SAFF Championship after failing to have its FIFA suspension lifted by the deadline set by the regional football body.

SAFF had given Nepal until September 30 to resolve the suspension and qualify for the tournament. As the ban remained in place after the deadline, Nepal’s participation was cancelled.

The withdrawal marks the first time Nepal has missed the region’s premier football competition since the SAFF Championship began. Nepal’s suspension followed disputes within the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the country’s football governing body.

This year’s championship is scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from November 5 to 17. Nepal had participated in every previous edition.