The Bangladesh Football Federation has given Bashundhara Kings four more days to complete their club licensing process for the new domestic season, a source within the club confirmed to TIMES of Bangladesh.
The transfer window for domestic football will close on September 3. Clubs must also complete the licensing process before they can register players.
Friday was the latest deadline for club licensing. However, Bashundhara Kings still have four FIFA registration bans, while Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club have two. The bans have stopped both clubs from completing the process.
Kings have already paid the money owed to the players involved in their cases. But the formal process to remove the FIFA bans could take another two or three working days.
The BFF has therefore given the reigning Bangladesh Football League champions until September 1 to complete their club licensing process.
However, the extension will not change the transfer deadline. Clubs must complete their player registration by September 3.
Fakirerpool are also trying to remove their two FIFA registration bans.
The club have reached agreements with the two players involved. However, the federation has yet to receive bank documents showing that the payments have been made.
Bashundhara Kings, meanwhile, paid their outstanding amounts around a week ago. The club also submitted the relevant bank documents to the federation.
Fakirerpool were relegated from the Bangladesh Football League last season. However, the BFF later cancelled relegation and allowed them to stay in the top division for the new campaign.
Abahani Limited have already cleared their FIFA registration bans and are completing their transfer work. The Dhaka club are also bringing in foreign players despite facing financial problems.
One of their new signings is Michael Babatunde.
The Nigerian winger played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He featured against Argentina in the group stage, when Lionel Messi scored twice in Nigeria’s 3-2 defeat.
There is still some uncertainty over when the new domestic season will actually begin.
The BFF has announced September 18 as the starting date for the Bangladesh Football League. The Federation Cup is scheduled to begin on September 22.
However, some people involved with the clubs believe it could be difficult to start the league on September 18 because of the problems surrounding preparations and player registration.
