Kings, Abahani, FYMC get more time to save season

Six-time champions Abahani, five-time winners Bashundhara Kings and Fakirerpool Young Men's Club have been given four more days to resolve their FIFA registration bans after Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Friday extended the club licensing submission deadline to August 11.

All three clubs need to lift their bans and secure licences to participate in the upcoming season, but none have managed to do so yet, leaving players waiting for contracts anxious.

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“The officials of both clubs -- Bashundhara Kings and Abahani -- verbally requested us to extend the deadline of the club licensing, and we decided to extend it up to August 11 for the sake of the country’s football interest because we want all clubs to participate in the Bangladesh Football League [beginning August 21],” BFF general secretary Emran Hossain told The Daily Star today.

With the transfer window also nearing its close, players from Kings and Abahani remain uncertain about their futures.

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“We have been kept waiting as the club has been trying to lift the bans. We all players are in tension as the transfer window is also coming to a close,” Topu Barman, who captained Kings last season, told The Daily Star.

“From our hearts, we want Bashundhara Kings to get eligible to take part in the professional football league,” Topu said. “The footballers from all clubs have been suffering for the last two seasons with less payment and if Kings fail to participate in the league, then it will be a big blow for the families of 30 to 35 footballers who are supposed to play for Kings.”

He added that Kings’ absence would also hurt the country’s football, as players would lose access to the club’s facilities.

The 31-year-old defender, however, remains hopeful after club president Imrul Hasan assured players at a meeting on Thursday that the issues would be resolved soon.

Meanwhile, midfielder Sheikh Morsalin, who featured in Abahani colours last season, is also waiting for clarity over his future.

“We have just been told that the club is trying to lift the bans, but we haven’t been told anything about our new contracts,” said Morsalin, adding he could remain without a club for the season if he cannot secure a suitable deal.

While Abahani’s board is arranging funds to clear the bans, the club management remains in the dark about the club’s plan on squad formation.

FIFA imposed registration bans on four clubs last season, including now-defunct Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, over unpaid dues to foreign players and coaching staff. While Sheikh Jamal had disappeared from the scene, Kings, Abahani and Fakirerpool have been working to settle their outstanding cases.

Abahani are closest to a resolution, having already lifted two bans, with the final one expected to be withdrawn soon. A club official said a portion of dues had already been sent to a Syrian player, with the ban expected to be lifted within days.

Kings’ situation remains unclear, as no club official has spoken publicly since FIFA imposed the latest ban on August 5.