National team and Three Star captain Sagar Thapa escaped unpunished despite an unsportsmanlike conduct during his team’s National League game against Tribhuvan Army Club.

In the intense closing moments of the game, referee Shrawan Lama brandished a yellow card to Thapa for kicking on Dip Lama. Infuriated by the decision, Thapa came charging towards Lama verbally abusing him.

According to Laws of the Game, Thapa deserved a straight red for the action but Lama chose to carry on with the freekick awarded to TAC. Thapa was treated the same way during Three Star’s match against Nepal Police Club on September 21 when he pushed referee Bikash Mahat showing a dissent over his decision.

The latest inaction from the referee comes at the backdrop of a lengthy bans handed to Morang FC players and officials by the Anfa disciplinary committee recently. Three Morang players and as many officials were banned one to two years after Anfa deemed they manhandled Fifa referee Sudish Pandey and assistant referees and instigated crowd during their 4-1 loss to Three Star on September 25.

TAC coach Megh Raj KC ridiculed Anfa and asked to categorise footballers in terms of punishment. “Sagar’s obscene language was even audible to media persons but he goes unpunished. I suggest Anfa to categorise players who would be receiving red or yellow card in their tournament rules and regulations,” mocked KC who himself abused referee after the incident. “If the referee refrains from punishing an abusive player then we can enjoy our liberty,” KC quipped.

Three Star coach Rajendra Tamang also admitted that the referee erred in the case. “The referee is not qualified enough to conduct the match. He was lenient on Bharat (Khawas) producing just a yellow when he deserved a red. But our boys made mistakes too. Tamang said he wouldn’t be surprised if Thapa was sent off.