The 2021–22 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लिग २०७८), also known as the Qatar Airways Martyr's Memorial A-Division League for sponsorship reasons,[4] was the 44th edition of the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League since its establishment in 1954-55. A total of 14 teams competed in the league.
Machhindra F.C. were the defending champions.[5] Due to time constraints, i.e. the league finishing after the qualification cut-off, instead of the league winner, the All Nepal Football Association decided that the top team after matchday 7, Machhindra F.C., would represent the league in the 2022 AFC Cup preliminary round 1.[6]
The league was scheduled to begin on 19 September 2021[7] but the date was pushed back to 15 November 2021 after multiple participating clubs demanded to postpone the league start due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal.[8] It was finally scheduled to be played from 19 November and matches were to be played only on weekends as opposed to being played throughout the week as had been the case during the previous seasons.[1]
On 16 February 2022, after matchday 11, Machhindra F.C. were crowned as league winners for the second consecutive time.[9]
Teams
A total of 14 teams, all based in the Kathmandu Valley, contested the league with a relegation system. Thirteen teams from the 2019–20 season and one team promoted from the B-Division participated in the league. Satdobato Youth Club, who debuted in the A-Division league, replaced Saraswoti Youth Club who were relegated after five seasons in the league. Prior to the season, Nepal Army Club reverted their name back to Tribhuvan Army F.C.,[10] a name that the team had used until the 2010 season.
All Nepal Football Association allowed every team a maximum of four foreign players, including one from a SAARC-affiliated country.[22] For the first time, one of the departmental teams, APF Club, signed foreign players.[23]
Source: HamroKhelkud Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) head-to-head. (C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Despite Jamoul Francois and Messouke Oloumou both scoring 7 goals each, ANFA awarded the title of top goalscorer to Jamoul Francois, as he scored the goals in less time.[2]
^Despite Jamoul Francois and Messouke Oloumou both scoring 7 goals each, ANFA awarded the title of top goalscorer to Jamoul Francois, as he scored the goals in less time.[49]