BFF to ask FIFA for polls deferral

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) will seek an extension from FIFA to hold the BFF polls following the coronavirus outbreak in the country, said BFF Senior Vice-President Abdus Salam Murshedy yesterday.

The BFF polls are scheduled to take place on April 20. And despite the novel coronavirus outbreak, the BFF is seemingly leaning towards staging the polls on the announced date, triggering a lot of questions as the elections will involve the gathering of nearly 140 councillors, 100 media personnel and the supporters of the candidates, whereas people have been advised to stay at home and maintain the social distancing to avoid the spread of the virus.

On Sunday, BFF General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag had said that he had spoken to FIFA and AFC officials about the possible postponement of the elections.

After the meeting of the professional football league committee yesterday, Murshedy said that they would write to FIFA to defer the time-frame of the BFF polls.

"We, under the leadership of [BFF President] Kazi Salahuddin are concerned about this [polls], though we have already announced a date to hold the BFF elections, which is now going through a process," said Murshedy. "Of course, we write to FIFA to let them know about the current situation of Bangladesh and request them to extend the time-frame of the elections as we are concerned about holding the elections."

Murshedy also said that the decision must come through the BFF executive committee, which will sit on March 27 to decide whether to defer the polls.

Last week, BFF vice presidents Badal Roy and Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi urged the governing body to defer the polls because of the coronavirus outbreak.