United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Police FC forced league champions Bashundhara Kings to play 2-2 draw in the ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2023-24 at the floodlight Bashundhara Kings Arena here Saturday evening. Bashundhara Kings, which assured the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football title for a record 5th consecutive times with three matches to spare last Saturday, today raised their points tally to 41 from 16 matches while Police FC remained at the 4th slot securing 23 points, also playing 16 matches. Two traditional rivals --Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC and six- time BPL champions Dhaka Abahani Limited--battling for the league runners-up position securing 29 points each from 16 matches. After the day's match at Bashundhara Kings Arena Saturday evening, the BPL champions trophy was ceremonially handed over to Bashundhara Kings at the home ground. Minister for Youth and Sports Nazmul Hasan Papon handed over the new look league trophy to Kings Brazilian captain Robson Robinho and head coach Oscar William Bruzon. In the day's keenly contested match, Nigerian forward Mfon Sunday Udoh put Kings ahead in the 44th minute (1-0) while local forward Mahdi Yousuf Khan restored parity for Police FC in the 50th minute (1-1). Venezuela forward Edward Morillo Jimenez put the Police team ahead from behind in the 69th minute (2-1) and was adjudged player of the match. Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomez rescured the Kings from ab embracing Dhaka defeat making the equaliser for the Kings in the 71st minute by a ground placing shot, off a combined attack by Sheikh Morsalin and Robson Robinho.(2-2). This was 14th individual goals for Dorielton in the ongoing league. In the day's other league match between Fortis FC and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club ended in a goalless draw at the Muktijoddha Smrity Stadium in Rajshahi Saturday afternoon. After the match, Fortis FC remained at the 6th slot in the league table securing 18 points while Sheikh Jamal DC remained at the 7th place with 17 points, playing 16 matches each

Young footballers in Bangladesh have reason to celebrate as the prestigious Barca Academy, FC Barcelona's official training programme, returns to Dhaka for its second training camp. The camp will be held from June 19–23 at the International School Dhaka (ISD) campus, providing a unique opportunity for aspiring footballers to learn from the best. Led by Barca Academy Coordinator Francesc Puigdomcnech and Coach Hector Albinana, the camp aims to impart not only technical skills but also the core values of teamwork, fair play, and respect for the sport. Participants will be immersed in the renowned Barca methodology, known for its focus on developing well-rounded players both on and off the field. The camp is open to both boys and girls aged 6–17, with sessions tailored to three distinct age groups: under 11's, under 14's, and under 18's. This inclusivity reflects Barca Academy's commitment to nurturing talent at all levels among young players in Bangladesh. Participants from ISD and other schools have until May 21 to register for the camp. With limited spots available, those interested are encouraged to sign up quickly for this chance to experience world-class football training.

The famous napkin that linked a young Lionel Messi to Barcelona sold for 762,400 pounds ($965,000) on Friday, British auction house Bonhams said. An agreement in principle to sign the-then 13-year-old Messi was written on the napkin almost 25 years ago at a Barcelona tennis club. A more formal and detailed contract with the club followed soon after. An undisclosed percentage of the sale price pays administrative fees for the online auction, in what’s called the buyer’s premium. Bonhams said the auction was on behalf of Horacio Gaggioli, an agent from Messi’s home country of Argentina who was part of the deal. The contract language, written in blue ink, was intended to reassure the teenager's father, Jorge Messi, that the deal would go through. Jorge Messi had threatened to take his son back to Argentina because negotiations with Barcelona had stalled. The napkin, containing the date Dec. 14, 2000, bears the signatures of Gaggioli, another agent, Josep Maria Minguella and Barcelona’s then-sporting director, Carles Rexach, who met at a tennis club. Rexach had asked a waiter for paper and was given a blank napkin. The starting price was 300,000 pounds ($379,000). Messi spent nearly two decades with Barcelona after arriving from Argentina at 13 to play in its youth squads. He made his first-team debut in 2004 and played 17 seasons with the main squad. He helped the club win every major trophy including the Champions League four times and the Spanish league 10 times. Messi left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021. He has since joined Inter Miami.

Former Bangladesh national football team captain and Dhaka Abahani Club legend Sheikh Mohammad Aslam has expressed serious concerns about the decline of sports in his hometown of Khulna, declaring the scene "dead." Though retired from professional football, Aslam remains deeply invested in the sport, both in the Khulna region and across Bangladesh. In an exclusive interview with UNB, Aslam reflected on the stark contrast between Khulna's once thriving sports culture and its current state. Read more: Women's Football League: Bangladesh Army taste first defeat losing to Suddopuskorini JSC 1-2 “I was brought to Khulna Stadium by my father and uncles as a child. The stadium was packed with fans,” he reminisced. "People loved football! It wasn't just football but also athletics, weightlifting, and various other events—Khulna had a legacy, a great reputation. We had talented Khulna players at every level. I salute all those who helped Khulna achieve national recognition. Today, I feel that place is totally gone. There is practically no sports in Khulna now.”

Bangladesh Army FC Ltd tasted the first defeat in their 5th match of the nine-team UCB Women's Football League' 2023-24 losing to Suddopuskorini JSC by 1-2 goals at the  Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Friday. With the day's maiden defeat,  Bangladesh Army FC went down in the title race with 12 points from five matches. Nasrin Sports Academy shared the top slot as an only unbeaten team in the league with ARB College SC securing 13 points each,  playing five and six matches resprctively. After a barren first half in the day's match, Kakoli Soren put Suddopuskorini JSC ahead in the 52nd minute (1-0) while Shila Akter doubled the winners margin in the 82nd minute from a penalty (2-0) Mahfuza Khatun reduced the margin for Army team in the added time (90+3 minute) of the match, but failed to escape the first defeat (2-1).

The runners-up battle of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2023-24 between Dhaka Abahani Ltd and Dhaka Mohammedan SC moved into an exciting stage after the day's matches at two separate venues across the country Friday afternoon. Six times champions Dhaka Abahani Limited  consolidated their claim for the league runners-up position crushing bottom-placed Brothers Union Club by 7-1 goals at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj Friday afternoon. Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC lost their supremacy over their traditional rivals Dhaka Abahani in the ongoing league after playing 3-3 goals draw with lowly Rahmatganj MFSat the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh Friday afternoon.  Women's Football League: Nasrin Sports Academy drops points first, draws 2-2 with ARB College Earlier on last Saturday, star studded Bashundhara Kings clinched Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football title for a record 5th consecutive times beating Dhaka Mohammedan SC by 2-1 goals at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh. Bashundhara Kings earned 40 points from 15 matches to the league champions with three matches to spare while Dhaka Abahani Limited and Dhaka Mohammedan SC battling for the runners-up position securing 29 points each from 16 matches. In Gopalganj, St.Vincent striker Cornelius Stewart made a hattrick for the sky blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd scoring four goals in the 70th,  86th, 90th and 90+4  minutes respectively. Brazillian forward Washington Brandao scored twice for Abahani in the 10th and 64th minutes while local midfielder Meraj Hossain Opi netted the remaining goal in the 90+2 minute. Uzbek defender Nodirbek Mavlonov scored the consolation goal for the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union  in the 79th minute from a penalty. Brothers Union Club were restricted to 10-man in 50th minute of the match as their Gambian defender Pape Musa Faye got direct red card. Federation Cup Football:Bashundhara Kings reach final eliminating Dhaka Abahani Ltd 3-0  In Mymensingh, Malian striker cum captain  Souleymane Diabate struck twice for Dhaka Mohammedan SC in the 21st and90+5 minutes while Jafor Iqbal netted the other goal for Mohammedan SC in the 6th minute. Ghana striker Samuel Konney scored twice for Rahmatganj MFS in the 42nd and 65th minutes respectively while Ernest Boateng  netted the remaining goal in the 34th minute. In the day's other league match between Chittagong Abahani Ltd and hosts Sheikh Russel KC ended in 1-1 goals at the Bashundhara Kings Arena Friday afternoon. Nigerian foward Seun Paul put Ctg Abahani ahead in the 11th minute while Nigerian defender Ganiu Atanda restored the parity for Sheikh Russel KC in the 73rd minute 

At Hampden Park, Glasgow—the stadium where former Argentine football superstar Diego Maradona scored his first-ever international goal for Argentina in 1979—the legendary footballer's legacy was remembered. Two contrasting figures from his footballing journey shared their thoughts: Argentinian World Cup-winning legend Ossie Ardiles, a teammate and friend of Maradona’s, and his most famous opponent, legendary England captain Terry Butcher. Maradona's 1986 Golden Ball heads to auction The occasion was the upcoming auction of Maradona's Adidas Golden Ball trophy, awarded to him as the best player of the 1986 World Cup, to be held at the Aguttes Auction House in Paris on June 6. This unique item encapsulates all of the memories of that dramatic tournament, including the "Goal of the Century" and the infamous "Hand of God" goal against England. Butcher, who famously marked Maradona during the infamous World Cup quarter-final, expressed his admiration for the Argentine legend with a humorous twist. Messi evokes Maradona comparisons on road to World Cup final “I would pay 7 million to buy Maradona's Golden Ball just to destroy it,” he commented, “But joking apart, I would like to say that Maradona is THE best player I’ve ever played against and certainly a contender for the greatest player ever; he really didn’t need to cheat.” Butcher also pointed out the value of such memorabilia. “Steve Hodge, my England midfield colleague, swapped shirts with Maradona after the infamous World Cup Quarter-Final. It sold for over 7 million pounds at auction, that gives an idea of what the Golden Ball will raise,” he said. Why Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal is priceless -- and unforgettable Ossie Ardiles, on the other hand, focused on the emotional significance of the Golden Ball. “Seeing Diego's Golden Ball Award again brings back so many memories of my dear friend Diego. This Golden Ball is the symbol of something spectacular and unique. It marks the pinnacle of the world's greatest player and the greatest World Cup goal. And the greatest individual performance of any World Cup.” Ardiles continued, “It is very emotional for me to be here at Hampden Park at the scene of Diego's first-ever goal for Argentina as an 18-year-old boy. We could see then he was going to be something special.” "Diego, of course, in time, would become for me the greatest player of all time," Ardiles concluded. “In 1986, the goal against England, starting at the halfway line, defined him. The pace, the power, the belief, and the incredible, unmatched in history, control of the ball.” The auction of Maradona's Golden Ball trophy is sure to attract significant attention from collectors and football enthusiasts alike. This piece of sporting history represents not only a moment of brilliance but also the complex legacy of a man who, as Ardiles eloquently said, “was a troubled soul, but what we should always remember, this is a boy who beat poverty to become the world's greatest footballer.”

Coming from behind, title aspirant Nasrin Sports Academy played a 2-2 draw with their main contenders, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC, in the nine-team UCB Women's Football League' 2023-24 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Thursday evening. In the day's match, national players studded Nasrin Sports Academy, dropping points first in their 5th league match to share the top slot in the league table as an unbeaten team, with ARB College securing 13 points each. But, Nasrin SA earned points from five matches, playing one match less than ARB College. Bangladesh Army FC Ltd followed the leaders neck neck with an all-win record, collecting 12 points from four straight matches. In the day's keenly contested match, Nasrin Sports Academy dominated the first half by 2-1 goals. Sauravi Akanda Prity scored both goals for the Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College team in the very first minute and 85th minute of the match, respectively. National forward Krishna Rani Sarkar scored first for Nasrin SA in the 5th minute while national captain Sabina Khatun netted the second goal for Nasrin Sports Academy in the 21st minute. Earlier, Nasrin Sports Academy made a flying start in the league, crushing Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadas by 19-0 goals, outplaying Suddopuskorini JSC by 7-0 goals, defeating Siraj Smrity Sangha by 2-1 goals, and Uttara FC by 10-0 goals. Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC tasted their first victory in their second match, outplaying Farashganj SC 6-0, beating Dhaka Rangers FC 4-0, crushing Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadas 17-0, and beating Suddopuskorini JSC 8-2 after conceding a 0-1 goal defeat against Bangladesh Army FC in their first match.

FIFA will urge all 211 national federations to mandate racist abuse in soccer as a disciplinary offense, after months of consulting with victimized players including Vinícius Júnior. Soccer's world body also suggests on Thursday “a global standard gesture for players to communicate racist incidents” to referees — hands crossed at the wrists and raised in the air — and for match forfeits to be a specific punishment. A five-pillar pledge on tackling racism will be put to FIFA member federations on Friday at their annual meeting in Bangkok. FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised months ago to make a worldwide proposal and has consulted with Brazil star Vinicius Junior, who is Black and has been repeatedly abused by fans in Spain while playing for Real Madrid. “The time has come for football to unite to unequivocally commit as a global community to address the issue of racism in the game,” FIFA said in a letter to member federations. FIFA also wants to create a panel of players who will “monitor and advise on the implementation of these actions around the world.” Soccer has struggled for more than a decade to deal with racism in stadiums by agreeing and coordinating on-field responses by match officials and post-match disciplinary action by federations and competition organizers. In some cases, investigations were dropped by soccer authorities because there was no evidence beyond a claim by the player alleging abuse. Black players who claimed they were racially abused by opponents or fans and tried to leave the field have themselves been shown a yellow card for their actions. FIFA wants the crossed hands gesture to be the recognized signal for referees to start a long-standing three-step process at a game where racial and discriminatory abuse is heard: To pause the play and broadcast warnings in the stadium, to take teams off the field, then abandon games. That three-step process should be mandatory across all 211 federations, FIFA said on Thursday. The crossed hands gesture was made on a medal podium at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 by United States athlete Raven Saunders who won silver in women's shot put. ”It’s the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet,” Saunders later said. It led the International Olympic Committee to open a disciplinary investigation for a political statement made at a medal ceremony. The investigation was paused days later after Saunders' mother died.

A brilliant hattrick by Sultana  guided Bangladesh Army FC Ltd to maintain all-win record in the UCB Women's Football League crushing all- losers Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadas by 8-0 goals at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur Monday evening. With the day's feat, Army team shared top slot in the league table along with another all- win side Nasrin Sports Academy and Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC, securing 12 points each playing 4, 4 and 5  five matches respectively. In the day's match, Bangladesh Army team dominated the first half by 6-0 goals. Sultana made a hattrick in the match scoring four goals, Tanima Biswas netted two while Shika Akter and Nowshon Jahan scored one goal each for the Army team. In the day's other match, Dhaka Rangers FC beat Farashganj SC by 1-0 goal scored by Shanti Mardi in the 38th minute at the same venue Tuesday night.