Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club, a team that plays in the Bangladesh Premier League, has been banned from player transfer activities by FIFA, the world governing body of football. The ban comes following a complaint by Uzbek footballer Sardor Zakanov, who accused the club of unpaid wages.
Sources from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) have confirmed the ban to the media. As a result of this sanction, Fakirerpool will not be allowed to recruit any new players in the current transfer window for the upcoming season. The club’s general secretary, Ahmed Ali, told a news outlet that efforts are being made to resolve the issue. He said, “A player has made a complaint regarding unpaid wages. He also claimed he wasn’t provided with proper food and facilities. He was brought in by members of the previous committee. We are working to resolve the matter.”
Zakanov was one of Fakirerpool’s standout performers last season. He scored 3 goals and made 2 assists in 9 appearances. However, he was not seen in the second phase of the league. According to sources, the club owes him around 2 to 2.5 million BDT (20 to 25 lakh taka) in unpaid wages.
Fakirerpool finished eighth last season with 19 points from 18 matches. If they wish to build their squad for the new season, they must get the FIFA ban lifted before August 14, as that is when the transfer window closes. FIFA imposes fines and bans on clubs and federations that fail to resolve payment disputes with coaches and players. Several Bangladeshi clubs have faced similar situations in the past. In fact, there were rumors last season that Bashundhara Kings had also received a similar warning, although neither the club nor the BFF confirmed it.
