Maruf's ban reduced

The Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday reduced the suspension of celebrated coach Maruful Haque from one year to six months and waivered the monetary fine of Tk 30,000 in response to an appeal he lodged on September 11. The decision was taken at a meeting of the appeal committee headed by Abdul Muyid Chowdhury.
The former Sheikh Russel coach was handed the suspension and monetary fine on August 23 for demanding the resignation of the entire professional league committee for allegedly favouring another club through rescheduling of matches in February this year. Despite his subsequent apology through a reply to a show-cause notice, the disciplinary committee came up with the hefty punishment, more than five months after the incident.
As Maruf was in UK attending a training course when the suspension was imposed, he made a delayed appeal, after his return on September 11.