Kathmandu, July 16 -- Around a month ago, Guglielmo Arena arrived at a cafe in Thamel in casual wear. He hadn't been able to train with his players for a couple of months, sidelined by the escalating tussle between the All Nepal Football Association and the National Sports Council, which had ultimately triggered FIFA's suspension on the national football governing body's on June 24.

It was a casual coffee meet, nothing more. Arena-the Swiss-Italian coach who had signed a one-year contract on March 12-insisted on a caveat: "Whatever we discuss here, it's not for the press."

To Guli, the nickname Arena prefers, it was simply a conversation between brothers who shared a profound love for the game. Yet, his passion quickly got the better of...