It is quite possible that the Bangladesh national team’s main players Topu Barman, Anisur Rahman Zico, and Sheikh Morsalin would not be considered for selection for the two World Cup prequalifying matches that will take place later this month against Maldives.
The first match will take place in Male, Maldives, on October 12, with the second match taking place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, against the Maldivians on October 18. The victor of the aggregate match will advance to the group stage of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Although the training camp began a few days ago without the Bashundhara Kings players because of the club’s AFC Cup assignment, some of the chosen players of the club are slated to attend training. However, the three players stated above are unlikely to be included in this group of players who are scheduled to participate in the training.
The three significant players, along with two other players of the club and other members of the support staff, were temporarily banned by Bashundhara Kings due to disciplinary reasons, and all five of them were barred from the team’s AFC Cup match against Odisha FC on Monday. The reason for the suspensions was that the players had violated club rules.
During a press conference that took place at the residence of the Bangladesh Football Federation, BFF president Kazi Salahuddin dropped hints that the three players may not be considered for the matches in the Maldives.
“About three or four days ago, we got a letter from Bashundhara Kings informing us that they had temporarily suspended between four and five players due to disciplinary reasons. The players have requested an apology from the club; however, the response is still waiting. When a club hands a letter to the BFF, it is then our responsibility to examine the contents of the letter. Following an executive meeting on Wednesday, Salahuddin made the following statement: “When it’s a disciplinary action, it needs to be covered by everybody.”
“This [their inclusion] will mostly depend on the coach, but I don’t think they will be considered because when a club suspends players on disciplinary grounds and sends letters, I think it becomes difficult for the coach to select the players,” the BFF boss said. “I don’t think they will be considered because when a club suspends players on disciplinary grounds and sends letters, I think it becomes difficult for the coach to select the players.”
According to what we have learned, Salahuddin’s comments were triggered by a meeting that took place earlier in the day with head coach Javier Cabrera, who is allegedly opposed to bringing in players banned for disciplinary reasons.
In the meanwhile, suggestions regarding the inquiry into financial malfeasance were also made at the meeting. The recommendations advised harsh punishment for operations head Mizanur Rahman, assistant head of finance Anupom Sarkar, and chief financial officer Abu Hossain, all of whom had previously resigned from their positions prior to receiving the recommendations. A course of action should also be taken against the grassroots manager, Hasan Mahmud, and the competitions manager, Zaber Bin Taher Ansari, according to the meeting’s recommendations.