The Bangladesh Football Federation has decided to increase the number of teams in the Bangladesh Football League (BFL). The decision came during an emergency executive committee meeting held on Sunday. It was made while the summer transfer window is still open.
Dhaka Wanderers have been allowed to play in the Premier League. The club finished third in the Bangladesh Championship League last season. They had first applied for promotion around three months ago, but the request was not accepted at that time. The club submitted another application about two weeks ago. The federation has now approved it.
The BFF has also cancelled last season’s relegation. Arambagh Krira Sangha and Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club will both keep their places in the Premier League. Fakirerpool, however, must first have their FIFA transfer ban lifted before they can take part in the competition.
Abahani Limited Dhaka and Bashundhara Kings are also under FIFA transfer bans. The transfer window will remain open until 3 September. Clubs must complete the licensing process by 4 August.
BFF president Tabith Awal said the federation must organise a league with at least 10 teams under FIFA rules.
“At the moment, Abahani, Bashundhara Kings and Fakirerpool are under FIFA bans. We have already extended the deadline because of these bans. If we delay it again, the league cannot start before October. That is why we have cancelled the relegation of two teams and allowed the third placed Championship League team to join the BFL. If all three clubs have their bans lifted, the league will have 13 teams. If not, it will be a 10 team league,” he said.
Dhaka Wanderers general secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shaheen welcomed the decision.
“We applied two months ago. Finally, the federation has made its decision. An executive committee member informed me about it. We will now work quickly to build a strong squad. We want to keep our best players from the Championship League. We will also try to sign players from other clubs and bring in foreign footballers,” he said.
Dhaka Wanderers returned to the Premier League one season ago after a long gap but could not stay in the top division. They were relegated to the Championship League. Last season they finished third. Chattogram City won the Championship League title, while City Club finished second and earned promotion to the BFL.
