All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has come under fire again for its lack of seriousness towards the problems faced by A-Division League clubs.

Ten clubs—Machhindra, Khumaltar, Manang Marshyangdi Club, Sankata, Himalayan Sherpa Club, New Road Team, Friends Club, Satdobato Youth Club, Church Boys United and Three Star Club—called a joint press conference on Friday criticising the football governing body’s reluctance to pay them the match preparation money and scheduling the A-Division League matches under a hectic window.

ANFA should provide Rs 1.5 million each to all the top-tier clubs before the start of the A-Division League, Rs 1 million after the end of the 13th round and the remaining amount [Rs 700,000] after the conclusion of the league as the preparation fees.

“We have only received the first installment of preparation money until now,” Sankata President Indraman Tuladhar, who is also the former general secretary of ANFA, said.

The league’s 21st round concluded on Friday but the clubs have not received their second installment yet.

“We have frequently submitted Memorandum of Understanding to the ANFA regarding this issue but our complaints have fallen into deaf ears. I enquired about the matter with the ANFA treasurer but there has been no progress,” fumed Tuladhar.

“It is not ANFA’s or FIFA’s money that we are demanding. This is the revenue generated from broadcasting fees, sponsors and gate collection.”

ANFA had also failed to provide the clubs with the first installment as well as Rs700,000 pending from the last edition. It was the same reason that led to postponement of the country’s premier league, which was originally scheduled to start from January 10. Then it eventually started on March 3.

Himalayan Sherpa Club president and former ANFA president Karma Tshering Sherpa said ANFA’s present behaviour had pushed the next edition of the A-Division League to uncertainty and added that the clubs “would play the entire round of the league even though they did not receive their money.”

ANFA has also been criticised for shutting its eyes to a congested fixture which is exposing the players to high risk of injury.

The top tier clubs also questioned how ANFA would conduct B and C Division Leagues as they have not even given preparation money to the A division sides.

The entire league—being played in double round robin format—have been scheduled under a four-month window and the clubs have been playing three matches per week. Fourteen clubs will play a total of 182 matches this edition.

“ANFA has shown carelessness in the game schedule. We have requested them to rearrange the fixture but they have not listened to us,” Tuladhar said.

“The poor management of the league has caused us injustice. The players haven’t got enough time to rest. They have not even received their player-of-the-match money.”