BFF President: The second tier of the Bangladesh Premier League, the Championship League (BCL), was scheduled to start on March 4. In response to the clubs’ requests, it has been decided to start the game five days later, starting on March 9. This decision was made at a discussion meeting between BCL clubs and League Committee Chairman Imrul Hasan this afternoon (Saturday).
This time, 11 teams were supposed to participate in the Bangladesh Championship League. BFF president’s club Nofel Sporting Club did not participate in the team transfer. Out of the 10 teams, only nine clubs except PWD were present in the discussion meeting today. Farashganj official Baburam said, “We had some demands from the federation. Most of them have been met. The game has been postponed to March 9 for our preparation. In addition to providing balls to the clubs, we have also been assured of financial support from sponsorship.” In this informal meeting, the chairman of the league committee, in addition to the club representative, were two members of the league committee.
The two teams relegated in the championship league and the top two teams in the championship league (the top team in the elite academy or the team after/above it if it is on the relegation list) will play in the Premier League. Even though the number of teams has decreased due to Nofel Sporting’s non-participation, the two relegated teams will remain. Such discussions were held in today’s meeting. League committee chairman Imrul Hasan confirmed that two teams will be relegated. Although the federation was adamant at the beginning of the season, the rules were relaxed again after the game due to the appeals of the clubs and the various interests of many federation officials. During the time of Kazi Salahuddin, breaking the league’s bylaws was an unwritten culture. It remains to be seen what happens during Tabith Awal’s time.
Not participating in the transfer entry is a punishable offense. Saif Sporting Club was fined a large sum after withdrawing from the Premier League. However, Gopalganj Sporting Club was fined only Tk 5 lakh after a year for not playing despite being promoted from the Championship League to the Premier League. There is curiosity in the football community about what punishment the BFF president’s club will receive for not participating in the transfer at the last minute. The BFF has not yet taken any action in this regard. However, it was discussed in today’s meeting that Nofel Sporting Club will not be able to license for the next three seasons. As a result, they will not have the opportunity to play in the second tier of the professional league.
In addition to this ban, the disciplinary committee has the authority to impose financial penalties as per the bylaws. Although the club is facing financial penalties, Tabith Awal personally received two crore taka from the BFF. He wrote several letters to the previous committee of Kazi Salahuddin regarding this, but did not receive any redress.
The Bangladesh Championship League will be held at three venues including the Gazipur District Stadium, the Bashundhara Kings Arena practice ground and the Forties FC ground. In the past, the BFF staff had said that the Championship League is part of the professional league, so this league should be played in the stadium. Although this idea has been given to the clubs and the media so far, now the federation is going to organize this league outside the stadium.