FIFA ban blues return in new season

FIFA transfer bans have returned to Bangladesh football at the start of the new season, with Arambagh Krira Sangha becoming the latest club to face restrictions over unpaid dues to a foreign player.

The official order from world football’s governing body arrived on Monday. Arambagh general secretary Yakub Ali confirmed on Tuesday that the club had delayed payment of around Tk550,000 owed to a foreign player from last season.

“We owed a foreign player money from last season, and there was a delay in paying him,” Ali said. “That is why the ban has come from FIFA. The unpaid amount is around Tk550,000. We are trying our best to pay it off by the end of this month.”

Arambagh join Dhaka Abahani, which received another FIFA transfer ban on September 17, shortly after the new season began. Both clubs are barred from registering new players until their outstanding dues are paid in full.

Last season, Dhaka Abahani, Bashundhara Kings and Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club also served lengthy bans before clearing their debts and lifting the restrictions ahead of the new campaign.

FIFA’s system currently lists eight active ban cases involving Bangladeshi clubs. Among those still active in domestic football, Abahani and Arambagh have one case each.

The remaining cases involve inactive clubs: Azampur and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi have three each, while Soccer Club Feni has one.