Press Association From The Guardian

• Thapa is former vice-president of Asian Football Confederation
• David Nakhid appeal to be heard by court of arbitration for sport
Ganesh Thapa

One of the most influential figures in Asian football over the last two decades has been banned for 10 years for bribery by Fifa’s ethics committee.

Ganesh Thapa, president of the All-Nepal FA and a former Asian Football Confederation vice-president, is also under investigation by Nepalese authorities after being accused of embezzling millions of pounds of football development money.

Thapa was found by Fifa’s ethics committee to have “committed various acts of misconduct over several years, including the solicitation and acceptance of cash payments from another football official, for both personal and family gain”.

These were connected to the 2009 and 2011 elections for the Fifa executive committee at the Asian confederation’s congress.

Nepal’s government is investigating Thapa after he was accused of embezzling around £4m during his 19-year tenure – much of it money from Fifa and the AFC earmarked for football development projects.

Fifa’s ethics committee has also handed out a two-year ban to Viphet Sihachakr, president of the Lao Football Federation.

It said Sihachakr “solicited and accepted a payment from another football official” in relation to the 2011 election.

Meanwhile, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has confirmed it will hear an appeal by David Nakhid after his candidacy for the Fifa presidency was rejected.

The former Trinidad and Tobago international’s bid to run was rejected after Fifa’s electoral committee found that he had not presented declarations of support from at least five member associations.

It is understood he was rejected on the grounds that one national association nominated both Nakhid and another candidate.

Ganesh Thapa, right, is a former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) vice-president. Photograph: Binod Joshi/AP

For more on this story go to: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/nov/16/fifa-nepal-ganesh-thapa-10-years