Mahfuza Akhter Kiron, a prominent figure in Bangladeshi football and the head of the Bangladesh Football Federation’s (BFF) women’s wing, has been barred from travelling to Paraguay to attend the 75th FIFA Congress, reportedly due to a government-imposed travel restriction linked to corruption allegations.
Kiron was part of a three-member BFF delegation scheduled to fly out early Monday morning alongside BFF President Tabith Awal and General Secretary Imran Hossain. While the other two officials successfully boarded their flight and reached Paraguay, Kiron was unexpectedly stopped at immigration and turned back from the airport.
According to senior immigration sources, her departure was blocked due to an active restriction on foreign travel stemming from a pending corruption investigation. No official charges have been disclosed publicly, but the move has sparked widespread speculation within the country’s football circles.
Attempts to contact Kiron for comment proved unsuccessful. Despite several calls, she did not respond. However, two senior BFF officials have confirmed her failed attempt to travel and said she has since returned home.
Kiron is a well-known figure in regional football administration, having previously served on the FIFA Council and currently holding positions within both the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). She has been a regular presence at international conferences, including recent events in Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Her sudden exclusion from such a major global gathering has therefore raised eyebrows.
The Bangladesh Football Federation has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. In the absence of clarification, speculation is swirling over the scope and depth of the allegations, and whether further action may follow.
Kiron’s standing within the football community has long been influential, especially in matters relating to the women’s game. Her abrupt travel ban adds a fresh layer of controversy to the federation, which has already been navigating governance and transparency challenges.
As the FIFA Congress proceeds in Paraguay without her, the question now turns to what prompted the authorities’ intervention—and what the potential fallout may be for one of Bangladeshi football’s most recognisable administrators.