Kathmandu, June 1
A Division clubs have said they will not release national team players for the closed camp until the league ends.
Head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese, on Tuesday, selected the preliminary squad for the upcoming SAFF Championship. He planned on holding a closed camp before selecting the final squad.
But, the meeting of A Division clubs on Thursday decided to not send the players for closed camp.
The meeting of the clubs decided players and club officials will wear black armbands as a sign of protest against ANFA for the remainder of the league season. The clubs say ANFA has not fulfilled its promises.
“Despite repeated requests, the second instalment of the preparation expenses, matchday fee and man of the match free have not been provided, so the club officials and players decided to continue the league wearing with black armbands on their hands,” reads the joint statement of the A Division clubs.
The league finishes on June 10 while the SAFF Championships starts on June 21.
Nepal have been drawn against hosts India, Kuwait and Pakistan in Group A of the SAFF Championship 2023 that will take place in Bangalore, India on June 21. Lebanon, Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh are in the other group.
