BFF emergency meeting halts BFL relegation, promotes 3 clubs from BCL

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has scrapped relegation from last season's Bangladesh Football League (BFL) and promoted three clubs from the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL), citing uncertainty surrounding the participation of Bashundhara Kings and Abahani in the upcoming season.

The decision was taken at an emergency online meeting of the BFF executive committee on Sunday, chaired by BFF president Tabith Awal, with less than three weeks remaining before the start of the 2026-27 season.

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As a result, BCL champions City Club, runners-up Chittagong City Club and third-placed Dhaka Wanderers Club have all been promoted to the top flight. Meanwhile, Youngmen Club Fakirerpool and Arambagh KS, who were relegated last season, will retain their BFL status.

Explaining the decision, Tabith cited FIFA registration bans on Bashundhara Kings, Abahani and Fakirerpool, although the game’s local governing body has extended the deadline until August 4 for the clubs to resolve the issues.

"If we wait any longer and the clubs don't play, then we are down to seven clubs in the BFL, whereas FIFA regulations require a minimum of 10 teams," Tabith said in reply to a WhatsApp message.

"If the dates are pushed back again, the league cannot start on time and would have to be delayed until October. That is not possible. So we decided to freeze relegation, allowing two teams to stay up, and promote three clubs from the BCL, including third-placed Dhaka Wanderers."

He added that if all three suspended clubs fail to have their FIFA bans lifted by August 4, the league will proceed with 10 teams.

The decision, however, raises questions over the timing of the August 4 deadline. Although the domestic transfer window remains open until September 3, the BFF has effectively made August 4 the cut-off date for clubs to resolve their FIFA registration issues and complete the club licensing process.

All clubs intending to compete in the upcoming BFL must submit their licensing documents by that date. Bashundhara Kings and Abahani are reportedly awaiting FIFA clearance over overdue payments, preventing them from completing the process.

"We have already withdrawn two suspensions and the third and final one is in process," said Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu.

"If we can't lift the final ban by August 4, we will ask the BFF for more time."

The BFF also faces a logistical challenge in processing the licensing applications of Fakirerpool, Arambagh and Dhaka Wanderers, who only learned of their places in the top flight following Sunday's decision.

Similar interventions have been made before. During former BFF president Kazi Salahuddin's tenure, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and BJMC were granted direct entry into the top flight, while Brothers Union and Chittagong Abahani avoided relegation despite finishing in the bottom places.
 

KEY DECISIONS

*Relegation from the 2025-26 BFL has been cancelled, allowing Fakirerpool and Arambagh to retain their top-flight status.

*BCL champions City Club, runners-up Chittagong City Club and third-placed Dhaka Wanderers Club have been promoted to the BFL.

*Bashundhara Kings, Abahani and Fakirerpool must lift their FIFA registration bans by August 4 to be eligible for the new season.

*The BFF will proceed with a 10-team league if the suspended clubs fail to meet the August 4 deadline, while keeping the season on schedule.