Dhaka Abahani have finally received relief after FIFA lifted the last registration ban imposed on the historic Bangladeshi club. The decision comes just before the new domestic season, allowing Abahani to move ahead with player registration. Yet the club now faces another challenge: after spending much of the past period dealing with the ban, they have fallen behind in their preparations for the new campaign.
Abahani were hit by three FIFA sanctions at the beginning of last season over unpaid dues involving foreign players. Two of those restrictions were subsequently removed, but the final ban remained in place because money was still owed to a Syrian footballer. After the outstanding payment was settled, FIFA lifted the remaining sanction on Monday and removed Abahani from the registration-ban list.
The timing provides some much-needed relief. With the club’s licensing process reaching its final stage, the lifting of the ban means Abahani can now proceed towards registering players. However, the delay has created a sporting problem of its own.
While the club’s officials were concentrating on resolving the FIFA case, preparations for the squad were inevitably affected. Several Abahani players are reportedly in contact with Mohammedan and Bashundhara Kings, raising concerns that the club could lose members of its existing squad before it has had the opportunity to complete its own recruitment.
Abahani have also requested additional time for player registration. The issue has become particularly pressing because the deadline for the current transfer window is scheduled for 3 September, while the registration process has been given an earlier deadline.
The administrative complications have already affected the opening of the domestic season. The Challenge Cup, scheduled for 21 August, has been cancelled. The match was expected to feature league champions Bashundhara Kings against runners-up Abahani, with the winner claiming the first piece of silverware of the new campaign.
The Challenge Cup had previously been contested by Bashundhara Kings and Mohammedan in each of the last two seasons. Kings won both editions. This year’s planned meeting with Abahani would have provided an early test of the two leading sides, but registration complications surrounding both clubs have prevented the fixture from taking place.
Bashundhara Kings remain in a considerably more difficult position. The club still have 10 FIFA registration bans listed against them. During a meeting with the Bangladesh Football Federation, the club’s representative, coach Syed Golam Jilani, reportedly requested another seven working days to address the situation.
For Kings, the sequence is straightforward but demanding: the FIFA restrictions must first be removed, after which the club can complete the necessary licensing procedures before registering its players. Until that happens, preparations for the new season remain uncertain.
The domestic calendar is approaching quickly. The Federation Cup is scheduled to begin on 25 August, followed by the league on 28 August. With those dates drawing closer, clubs affected by registration restrictions have little room for delay.
Several clubs have also objected to the earlier registration deadline of 19 August. Their preference is to retain the opportunity to register players until the final day of the transfer window on 3 September. Such a change would give clubs more time to resolve administrative issues and finalise their squads.
The FIFA list also contains sanctions involving Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi and Soccer Club Feni. Fakirerpool have reportedly received permission in the domestic process but remain unable to enter the transfer market because of the restriction.
Abahani’s case demonstrates how quickly an administrative issue can affect sporting preparations. The club have now cleared the most immediate obstacle, but the work is far from over. They must rebuild momentum in the transfer market, retain key players and complete registration in a very limited period.
For Bangladeshi football, the situation has also exposed the importance of resolving financial and registration disputes well before a new season begins. With Abahani finally free of their FIFA ban but Bashundhara Kings still dealing with multiple restrictions, attention now turns to whether the major clubs can put their administrative problems behind them before competitive football gets under way.
