All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Sunday said Dauphins Family of Cameroon, who have already clinched two domestic titles and are on the verge of the third, are not authorised to compete in domestic football.

A day before the team plays Nepal Police Club in the Tilottama Gold Cup final, ANFA President Karma Tshering Sherpa said: “Dauphins were not authorised to play in Nepal. I have already asked organisers of the knockout tournaments around the country not to register the team. Despite may calls they are allowed to play,” said Sherpa.

Dauphins, the all-African team, claimed back-to-back Pokhara Gold Cup and Budha Subba Gold Cup titles on February 10 and 16. They do not have any documents that prove they were a registered team of Cameroon. In fact, majority of their players have played at various tournaments in India and other South Asian countries from the local sides.

Sherpa also clarified that Dauphins were given permission by National Sports Council to play in Nepal. Dauphins first appeared in Nepal under invitation of Sudhur Paschim XI Football Club during Khaptad Gold Cup where they bowed out of the first match. They also participated in the Madan Bhandari Itahari Gold Cup before winning the Pokhara Cup and Budha Subba Gold Cup.

Ironically, it was ANFA president Sherpa who himself presented the Pokhara Cup to Dauphins. Sherpa said: “It has just been nine months since we came into ANFA office. We have a lot to amend like the participation of teams like Dauphins. We will make sure that such teams won’t be able to compete from next season.”