All the football leagues, including ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) football, under the Professional Football League Committee (PFLC) of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) have been postponed for an indefinite period due to the outbreak of deadly coronavirus in the country.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of PFLC held on Tuesday (March 24) at the BFF board room with committee chairman Abdus Salam Murshedy, MP, in the chair.

The committee will take their next decision in this regard when the situation improves.

The schedule of much-talked about election of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) will be announced on April 3 in a view to conduct the poll as per schedule on April 20.

The decision was taken in the first meeting of the three-member election commission of BFF held at federation office on Saturday (Mar 21) with chief election commissioner Mesbah Uddin in the chair.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Mesbah Uddin said, “we are preparing ourselves to hold BFF election on schedule on April 20, and we have decided to announce election schedule on April 3, but prior to this, the BFF will provide us voter list”.

Regarding possibilities of election in a crucial situation of Coronavirus threat, Mesbah Uddin said, “we discussed the present crisis situation in the day’s meeting, but, BFF will have to decide what they want to do if situation worsens further, we do not like to interfere in this regard.”  

Mesbah Uddin successfully conducted last three BFF elections as the Chief Election Commissioner while the other two members of his commission are- Mahufuzur Rahman Siddique and Motaher Hossian Saju. All three are retired government officer.  

After the day’s meeting, BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag echoed his previous voice and said “We have taken all the preparations to hold the election on April 20, we are also maintaining a close touch with FIFA and AFC and updating them about the current situation of coronavirus. Only AFC and FIFA can shift the date.” he added.

Earlier on Thursday, two vice-presidents of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Badal Roy and Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi asked to defer the BFF Election date on April 20 to avoid the transmission of coronavirus.

Badal Roy said “It will not be wise to arrange the BFF election in a crisis situation of corona virus and I would like to request to hold an emergency BFF meeting over the issue.”

Badal talked with BFF president Kazi Mohammad Salahddin over phone in front of the reporters last Thursday and requested him to change the date of BFF election.

But, Salahuddin informed him that the change of election schedule depends upon the approval of FIFA and AFC.

Another BFF vice president Mohi said, “Every district, some clubs and educational institutions are involved with the BFF election. Apparently, some 140 councilors and some candidates will participate in the election, but, actually near about thousand people are directly or indirectly involved in the election which will create a huge gathering posing greater risk to the public health.”

BFF seating president Kazi Salahuddin announced that he will fight for the president’s post again while his vice-president Badal Roy is also ready to challenge him.

Another well-known organiser Tarafder Mohammad Ruhul Amin earlier stepped down to compete for the hot seat of BFF president in the ensuing election, although he is reportedly to lead a panel.

Both Salahuddin and Tarafder are reportedly working to form their panel despite coronavirus threat.

Two vice-presidents of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Badal Roy and Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi on Thursday demanded deferment of BFF Election that was scheduled to be held on April 20 to avoid the transmission of coronavirus.

Badal and Mohi placed their demand while talking to the reporters at BFF house in the afternoon.

Badal Roy said “It will not be wise to arrange the BFF election in a crisis situation of corona virus thread and I would like to request all for holding an emergency meeting over the matter.”

Badal talked with BFF president Kazi Mohammad Salahddin over phone in front of the reporters and requested him to change the date of BFF election.

According to Badal, Salahuddin informed him that the change of election schedule is depends on the approval of FIFA and AFC.

Meanwhile, Another vice president Mohi handed over a letter to BFF president to change election date.

He told reporters that “Every districts, some clubs and educational institutions are involved with the BFF election. Apparently, some 140 councilors and some candidates will participate in the election, but actually near about thousand people are directly or indirectly involved with the election which will create a huge gathering posing greater risk to the public health.”

After the briefing of two vice presidents, BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag said “We have taken all the preparations to hold the election on April 20”

“We are also maintaining a close touch with FIFA and AFC and updating them about the current situation of coronavirus. Only AFC and FIFA can shift the date.” he added.

The meeting of the three-member election commission will be held at BFF house on Saturday (Mar 21) with chief election commissioner Mesbah Uddin in the chair.

Mesbah Uddin successfully conducted last three BFF elections as the Chief Election Commissioner while the other two members were - Mahufuzur Rahman Siddique and Motaher Hossian Saju. All three are retired government officers.  

However, the present BFF president Kazi Salahuddin announced that he will fight for the president’s post again while his vice-president Badal Roy is also ready to challenge him.

Another well-known organiser Tarafder Mohammad Ruhul Amin earlier stepped down to compete for the hot seat of BFF president in the ensuing election, although he is expected to lead a panel.

Both Salahuddin and Tarafder are reportedly working to form their panel despite of coronavirus threat.

Eight teams advanced to the 3rd round of the Walton Smart Fridge-Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) six-a-side Media Cup Football Tournament eliminating their rivals at the Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium here on Wednesday.

The teams are: The Daily Sun, GTV, Amader Shomoy, Ajkaler Khabor, Naya Diganta, Manab Zamin, Jagonews24.com and Dainik Jugantor

In the day’s 2nd round matches, The Daily Sun beat ATN News by 1-0 goal, GTV defeated Nagarik TV by 4-3 goals in tie breaker, Amader Shomoy outplayed Sangram 3-0, Ajkaler Khabor beat Jababdihi 1-0, Naya Diganta beat Ittefaq 1-0, Manab Zamin defeated Inqilab 1-0 and Jagonews24.com outplayed Sangbad 3-0.

In the day’s another fixture, Dainik Jugantor got walkover against Channel 1

However, DRU Media Cup Football Tournament has been suspended from March 19 to March 31 due to outbreak of deadly Corona Virus. Fresh schedule of the tournament will be announced later.