Football league season
The 2016 Martyr's Memorial B-Division League season, also known as the RedBull Martyr's Memorial B-Division League for sponsorship reasons, was the 2016 edition of the second-tier club football competition in Nepal. The season began on 21 August 2016 and concluded on 5 October 2016.[2] It was the first B division league held since 2014 due to the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. All matches were played at Halchowk Stadium and the ANFA Complex.[3]
Teams
A total of 14 teams competed in the league, including 10 sides from the 2014 season, three relegated from the 2013-14 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League and one promoted from the 2014 Martyr's Memorial C-Division League.[4]
Team Changes
To B-Division
Promoted from 2014 Martyr's Memorial C-Division League
Relegated from 2013–14 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
From B-Division
Relegated to 2016 Martyr's Memorial C-Division League
- Birgunj Youth Association Football Club
- Boudha Football Club
- Swoyambhu Club
- United Youth Club
Promoted to 2018–19 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
Overview of teams
Team
|
Location
|
Previous season
|
Bansbari Football Club
|
Bansbari, Kathmandu
|
11th
|
Boys Union Club
|
Tripureshwor, Kathmandu
|
13th (A-Division)
|
Chyasal Youth Club
|
Chyasal, Lalitpur
|
8th
|
Khumaltar Youth Club
|
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
|
1st (C-Division)
|
Madhyapur Youth Association
|
Thimi, Bhaktapur
|
2nd
|
Mahabir Youth Club
|
Kalikasthan, Kathmandu
|
6th
|
Nayabasti Youth Club
|
Nayabasti, Kathmandu
|
4th
|
New Road Team
|
New Road, Kathmandu
|
Relegated from 2012–13 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League due to financial reasons and did not participate in the 2014 league.[5]
|
Pulchowk Sports Club
|
Pulchowk, Lalitpur
|
10th
|
Ranipokhari Corner Team
|
Ranipokhari, Kathmandu
|
12th (A-Division)
|
Samajik Youth Club
|
Narayantar, Kathmandu
|
3rd
|
Satdobato Youth Club
|
Satdobato, Lalitpur
|
5th
|
Shree Kumari Club
|
Balkhu, Kathmandu
|
9th
|
Tushal Youth Club
|
Tushal, Kathmandu
|
7th
|
Venues
The league was played centrally in two venues in two cities in the Kathmandu Valley.[6] Nepal's main football stadium, Dasharath Rangasala was unavailable, as it was not yet reconstructed following the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
League table
Source: [
[1]][
[7]]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) head-to-head.
(C) Champions;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Awards
Controversy
On 27 September 2016, after losing against New Road Team,[9] officials of Shree Kumari Club attacked and beat referee Sudesh Pandey.[10] All Nepal Football Association sanctioned multiple of Shree Kumari Club's official, suspending the president of the club for two years.[11]
Goal Nepal found out that the match commissioner of this game was not at the venue but in Goa, India, with a commentator calling this "disgusting".[12] Citing security concerns, referees threatened to suspend operations after the incident.[13][14]
References