Lalitpur, Nepal:  the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has slapped Three Star Club with a 300,000 rupee fine, but for APF FC, relegated on the final day of the season, justice still feels incomplete.

The saga revolves around a seemingly straightforward case of fielding ineligible players. During a crucial May clash against Jawalakhel Youth Club, Three Star fielded duo Martin Kayode Ajayi and Peter Segun, their foreign imports. The wrinkle? Work permits, yes; valid visas, no. A detail insignificant enough for Three Star to secure top-flight status but glaring enough for APF to plummet to the second division.

APF, understandably, cried foul. They filed a complaint, and after months of investigation, ANFA finally issued its verdict: a slap on the wrist for both players (50,000 rupees each) and the club (300,000 rupees).

For APF, it’s a half-empty cup. Their treasurer, Bijay KC, is a man spitting fire. “Fines? Mere peanuts,” he fumes, citing FIFA’s Code of Ethics and the global precedent of automatic 3-0 defeats for fielding illegals. He reels off examples, from World football to marquee leagues, where justice was swift and decisive.

KC’s frustration is palpable. “Fair play,” he thunders, “that’s the bedrock of football, and here it’s been trampled on.” He vows to fight, to appeal to ANFA’s higher echelons, even to FIFA and AFC if need be. This, for him, is a David vs Goliath battle, a fight for justice beyond just points and positions.

Three Star, meanwhile, licks its wounds, the hefty fine a stark reminder of its administrative gaffe. But for APF, the scars run deeper. Relegation stings, but the perceived injustice, the feeling of fair play being a hollow promise, truly rankles. This saga, far from over, is a stark reminder that in the beautiful game, justice can be as elusive as a perfectly placed lob shot.

So, where does the story go from here? Will APF’s David slay the Goliath Three Star? Will ANFA’s higher echelons deliver a Solomon-esque verdict? Or will this become another cautionary tale of football’s murky underbelly? Stay tuned, for this one’s just getting started.