BFF fails to find proof against Nowmee

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has cleared women's national team manager Khalid Mahmud Nowmee of allegations that he brought alcohol into the team hotel during the SAFF Women's Championship in India, citing a lack of video evidence.

After a sluggish more than three-month probe, a BFF investigation committee concluded that while Mahmud was involved in a heated row with tournament organisers over medical facilities, there was no proof to support the claims of alcohol possession.

The controversy erupted during Bangladesh’s title defence in India when tournament organisers, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), slapped a formal complaint on the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), claiming the team manager broke hotel rules.

In a letter sent to BFF General Secretary Imran Hossain Tushar on 26 May, SAFF claimed Khalid Mahmud smuggled four bottles of alcohol into the team hotel on 23 May. The complaint alleged that bringing outside alcohol breached hotel policy and led to a confrontation with reception staff.

Yet despite SAFF pinpointing the exact minute of the incident, the BFF’s probe hit a dead end after investigators dragged their feet and missed the window to secure crucial CCTV evidence.

Kamrul Islam Hilton, the BFF executive committee member who headed the inquiry, confirmed the panel found no proof of alcohol, insisting the dispute was ignited by substandard tournament logistics rather than late-night drinking.

"We looked into the matter and questioned people based on SAFF’s letter," Hilton said. "What we found was that the team manager had a heated row with SAFF officials over rooms and medical facilities for the Bangladesh squad. In response, SAFF turned around, accused him, and sent a letter to the BFF.

"We asked the hotel for security camera footage, but because more than a month had passed, they could no longer provide it. We found no solid proof that he brought alcohol, though it is true he had a loud argument with SAFF officials. Our final report will warn him to be more careful with his conduct in the future, and we will submit it within a couple of days."

Explaining the delay in wrapping up a probe that overshadowed Bangladesh’s regional campaign, Hilton admitted personal travel and federation duties pushed the case to the back burner.

"The committee was formed before the World Cup," Hilton said. "I was away in America for a few weeks to watch matches, and other federation work kept us busy, which is why the investigation took time."