Salahuddin re-elected SAFF President without BFF support

Former Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin secured another term as president of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), despite not having the backing of the current BFF leadership.

The former Bangladesh footballer was re-elected for the fifth consecutive time at the SAFF Congress held in Thimphu, Bhutan on Saturday after no other candidate entered the race.

His path to another term was cleared after SAFF amended its constitution, removing the previous age limit of 70 and the two-term restriction on the presidency.

Amid Bangladesh's changed political landscape, the current BFF executive committee was reportedly unwilling to endorse Salahuddin's candidacy.

Anticipating the situation, the 72-year-old secured his nomination with the proposal and support of the Nepal and Bhutan football federations.

The former BFF president stepped down as BFF president 21 months ago, ending a 16-year reign at the country's football governing body. However, he has retained South Asia's top football administrative position.

Reacting after his re-election, the former national forward expressed his gratitude and pledged to continue working for the development of football across the region.

"I am deeply honored to have been elected to serve South Asian football for the next term. I accept this responsibility with humility and a firm commitment to work in the best interests of our game and our region."

He also congratulated the newly elected Executive Committee members and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening football in South Asia.

"I look forward to working closely with each of them as we continue our collective efforts to strengthen football across South Asia."

Salahuddin thanked the Electoral Committee for conducting a "professional, transparent and impartial" election and also acknowledged the continued support of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Meanwhile, BFF vice-president Sabbir Ahmed Aref was elected as a member of the SAFF Executive Committee.

Sri Lanka Football Federation president Jaswar Umaru Lebbe was elected unopposed as SAFF vice-president, while Bhutan Football Federation's Zimbiri was elected unopposed as the female Executive Committee member.

Football Association of Maldives vice-president Hussain Shafiu was also elected to the Executive Committee. In contrast, All India Football Federation vice-president Nalapad Ahmed Haris was later co-opted as a SAFF vice-president.

Dr Shaji Prabhakaran will continue as SAFF's representative on the AFC until the end of the current AFC term.

The SAFF Congress also discussed the suspension of the Nepal Football Association. Nepal has been given until September to have the FIFA suspension lifted, failing which the country will be unable to participate in the upcoming SAFF Championship.