BFF withhold staff salaries over Tk35 lakh in unsettled advances

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has withheld the salaries of several employees over unsettled advances amounting to Tk35.14 lakh, with some staff members yet to submit bills and vouchers for expenses incurred on behalf of the federation.

BFF records show that Touhid, an executive in the women’s wing, has the highest outstanding advance at around Tk8.5 lakh. His salary remains withheld until the required accounts are submitted.

Two executives from the BFF media department have more than Tk10 lakh in combined unsettled advances. While their routine media expenses are relatively modest, they oversee costs related to overseas tours by the men’s and women’s national teams. Their salaries have also been withheld over delays in submitting expense statements.

Administrative executive Ahsanur Robin had more than Tk3.5 lakh outstanding until May but had submitted accounts covering only Tk4,000 by July. Mostakim, who was recently assigned to national team affairs, had more than Tk4 lakh in unsettled expenses as of July, although the amount has since fallen.

Coach Mahbubur Rahman Polo is also among those whose salaries have been withheld, with around Tk1.7 lakh in unsettled expenses as of July. He supervises coaching programmes, trials and friendly matches at the BFF turf.

In contrast, groundsman Chandu and national team attendant Mohsin have been praised for submitting most of their expense accounts on time. Chandu spent nearly Tk3.75 lakh on ground preparations and submitted bills worth Tk3.62 lakh within the deadline. Mohsin submitted bills for Tk23,000 and returned Tk600 from an advance of around Tk23,600.

The accounts department is tasked with collecting bills and settling advances, while the secretary general oversees the process. BFF officials said several executives continued to delay submissions despite repeated reminders.

Members of the BFF executive committee have expressed frustration, raising concerns over staff performance and adherence to financial procedures.

The issue has added significance as BFF salaries are partly funded by FIFA and AFC grants, while the federation has previously faced sanctions over compliance failures involving former senior officials and executives.

The latest developments have therefore raised questions over whether the current administration has learned from those earlier financial compliance issues.