March 13 – After six years of financial restrictions, FIFA has finally given the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) full access to its funds, lifting the controls that had been in place since 2018.
The decision, confirmed in a letter from FIFA on March 7, means the BFF will now receive grants in standard instalments and be eligible for a wider range of FIFA development programmes.
The restrictions were originally imposed due to concerns over the BFF’s financial management, leading to FIFA drip-feeding funds rather than providing lump-sum payments.
This created operational headaches and limited the federation’s ability to plan long-term projects. However, after years of scrutiny and a recent financial audit, FIFA is now satisfied that the BFF has cleaned up its act.
The BFF credited the leadership of president Tabith Awal, along with the new executive committee, for addressing FIFA’s concerns and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
The removal of restrictions comes after a FIFA delegation visited Dhaka in early February to assess the BFF’s financial practices. The federation had expected a decision by mid-March, but the green light arrived ahead of schedule, marking an early win for Awal’s presidency.
New general secretary Imran Hossain Tushar had made the lifting of FIFA’s financial controls a key priority after his predecessor, Abu Nayeem Shohag, was banned for financial misconduct.
With the restrictions now gone, the focus shifts to ensuring financial transparency remains a long-term commitment rather than just a means to an end.
For Bangladesh football, this decision represents more than just access to funds – it’s a chance to rebuild credibility on the global stage. But with FIFA’s watchful eye never too far away, the BFF will need to prove that the mistakes of the past won’t be repeated.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1741870740labto1741870740ofdlr1741870740owedi1741870740sni@g1741870740niwe.1741870740yrrah1741870740
