The All Nepal Football Association (Anfa) on Thursday postponed the National League for September 14 owing to the recent political turmoil.

The National League, which is held for the first time in a ‘home and away’ format, was scheduled to resumed on Friday but a meeting between the Anfa and club officials agreed to defer it. “Anfa had to postpone the League due to the fragile political situation in the western and far-western parts of the country,” the football governing body said on its official website.

The Terai belt of Nepal have seen a widespread rioting and violence with Madhes-based parties calling an indefinite strike in protest against the seven-state federal set-up agreed by the three-major political parties.

The government has imposed curfew and mobilised army to aid civilian authorities in various places where violence has hit the worst. At least 23 people have been killed so far in the violence that began with the killing of seven Nepal Police officials in the Far-west district of Kailali.      

The participating clubs have also agreed to continue the League in a ‘home and away’ format as long as the political situation permits. The district clubs have agreed to play all the matches in Kathmandu if the environment in Terai is not conducive for the League.

Far-western FC, Morang FC, Jhapa XI and Lumbini FC are the four Terai based clubs in the League. Jhapa are currently leading the nine-team League with 16 points from eight matches. The League had to be halted due to the April 25 Great Quake in Nepal before it was rescheduled.

Meanwhile, Patan Appellate Court will give its verdict on the case of Anfa’s Annual General Meeting on September 9. The Court had ordered the Anfa to stop its AGM, scheduled for Wednesday, after its officials filed a petition claiming that the body has not followed due process.