The announcement of the disciplinary committee of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) seemed like a storm brewing over the heads of the BFF officials. All football activities in the country were banned for a year, with a fine of 1 lakh taka imposed, four footballers banned for six matches, and two coaches receiving a one-year suspension along with financial penalties, all due to their involvement in the match-fixing scandal.
Shortly after the announcement, Brigadier General Anwar Sadat Abu Muayyad (PSC), the head of BFF, embarked on a mission to restore the organization’s image by appealing against the sanctions. Alongside a promise of substantial punitive action against those involved in match-fixing, they appealed to the disciplinary committee on Monday. The organization faces the risk of losing coach Robiul Islam due to the penalty for tarnishing BFF’s reputation.
In May, Dhaka Third Division’s team Chakbazar Kings Club had signed an agreement with BFF allowing their players to participate in the league matches. As per the agreement, in the Under-17 Football League, Chakbazar’s Naimur Rahman, Hasan Mia, and M.Jifat played on behalf of BFF. However, these players were identified as Tasin, Ridwan, and Rifat respectively. Moreover, without BFF’s consent, Ekramul was fielded by coach Robiul Islam. Despite disapproval expressed by Chakbazar after the match against Arambagh Krira Sangha, the disciplinary committee penalized everyone involved in the match-fixing scandal. BFF faced sanctions because everyone implicated in match-fixing was associated with both BFF and the league.
Two suspended coaches, Shahinur Hossain and Robiul Islam, have been excluded from all activities at BFF. Following the appeal at BFF, internal investigation proceedings have also commenced. BFF’s top official, Fuad, stated, “BFF is a national institution and hasn’t acted unjustly. Coach Robiul has orchestrated everything without anyone’s notice. Even the Chief Coach of Football, Shahinur, was unaware, as he wasn’t present on the field. Despite appeals, Shahinur, too, played a part. We firmly appeal for leniency towards both BFF and Shahinur.”
Robiul Islam, despite being the coach of BFF, worked in the interest of Chakbazar Kings Club and by concealing information, significantly damaged the organization’s reputation, according to BFF’s top official.
However, the accused four footballers won’t be banned from playing, as they are in the eighth grade. The club and Robiul have elevated the players’ ages and played them accordingly, as per the coach’s instructions. They didn’t commit this mistake.
Contrary to reports, parents of students associated with football clubs were distressed upon receiving news of BFF’s one-year suspension. A football coach associated with BFF said, “Parents believe that BFF is closing down for a year. They’re expressing their concerns over the phone. We need to make sure this hasn’t happened. When asked for his perspective, the organization’s top official, Fuad, stated, ‘I’ve heard about such incidents. Some parents are calling. I assure everyone that BFF is an important institution for the government and it won’t shut down.'” Despite elaborating further, the top official didn’t reach out to the banned coaches for clarification.
