Reigning Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings face a race against time to resolve a web of regulatory hurdles as a fresh transfer ban from FIFA brings their total count of sanctions to 12.
The domestic powerhouse, which has dominated Bangladeshi football with consecutive league titles and domestic silverware in recent years, now confronts a severe administrative crisis on the eve of the new season. With the clock ticking down, the club management must resolve outstanding financial disputes with FIFA, clear club licensing procedures, and register their squad to secure participation in upcoming competitions.
The sanctions stem primarily from contractual disputes and unpaid financial claims filed by former foreign players and coaching staff with FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber. While the club was already grappling with 11 active transfer bans, an additional sanction was recently imposed, pushing the total to 12. As long as these sanctions remain active, the club is legally prohibited from registering any new players, whether domestic or foreign.
The domestic transfer window for the current season was originally scheduled to open on 1 June. However, transfer bans levied against both Bashundhara Kings and fellow giants Abahani Limited Dhaka forced the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to defer the start of the transfer window multiple times before eventually opening it in early July.
Abahani Limited have made tangible progress by settling their financial debts, successfully lifting two of their three FIFA bans while the third remains in process. Conversely, the situation for Bashundhara Kings has worsened with the addition of the new penalty.
According to the official schedule set by the BFF, the current domestic transfer window will remain open until 3 September, with both the Bangladesh Premier League and the Federation Cup slated to kick off in the final week of August. However, administrative deadlines dictate that every participating club must register a minimum of 23 players by 13 August to participate in official fixtures.
Just as a football match remains undecided until the final whistle, Bashundhara Kings find themselves fighting until the final moments off the pitch to clear their path for the upcoming season.
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