Abahani free of FIFA ban, Bashundhara Kings and Fakirerpul remain stuck

Abahani have finally been cleared of their FIFA registration ban, while five-time champions Bashundhara Kings and Fakirerpul Young Men’s Club remain suspended over unresolved payment disputes.

The development clears a major hurdle for Abahani ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh Football League (BFL) season, allowing the six-time champions to resume preparations after weeks of uncertainty.

The runners-up from last season had been hit with three FIFA registration bans over unpaid wages owed to three foreign players. The players never came to Bangladesh but lodged complaints after their contracts were cancelled following August 5, 2024.

Abahani lifted two bans last month but struggled to resolve the final case. Although the club claimed to have cleared a major portion of the outstanding amount, a Syrian player repeatedly claimed the money had not reached his designated bank account.

The final ban has now been withdrawn, allowing Abahani to turn their attention towards squad building.

 Bashundhara Kings, meanwhile, are still dealing with FIFA registration bans. The five-time champions have resolved four of their 14 cases and yesterday sought seven working days to settle the remaining disputes.

Fakirerpul Young Men’s Club remain in the same predicament, with two FIFA cases involving payments still unresolved. There has been no reported progress in their efforts to lift the suspension.