BFF in a tight corner over domestic football schedule 

 
Bangladesh's domestic football season is set to be pushed back from its scheduled 25 August start, with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) executive committee expected to take a crucial decision on the matter at its meeting on Saturday.

The Federation Cup had been earmarked to get the domestic game rolling, but the participating teams have yet to be finalised and the draw has not been held, making a postponement all but inevitable.

The key question now is not whether the season will be delayed, but for how long.

Only Fortis FC and Police FC are understood to be in active preparation, while most other clubs have yet to begin their full preparations. 

FIFA bans also continue to hang over Bashundhara Kings and Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club, further clouding the outlook.

The seventh regular meeting of the BFF executive committee will be held from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday at a hotel in Gulshan.

The agenda includes the reading and approval of minutes from several regular and emergency meetings, the general secretary's report, discussion of matters raised at the sixth adjourned meeting, and the fixing of the date and venue for the BFF Congress.

However, the miscellaneous agenda has emerged as the centre of attention, with a decision on the start of domestic football expected to be discussed under that heading.

The BFF faces a difficult balancing act. Clubs have been pressing for the season to be postponed, with Mohammedan and Abahani particularly keen to delay the start for a considerable period.

Their concern is that domestic football could be forced to stop only days after it begins because of national team commitments.

Maintaining training camps during such a break would also add to clubs' expenses, leaving the federation with little room for manoeuvre. With several competing interests at play, the BFF's decision could determine whether the domestic season gets under way smoothly or stumbles before the opening whistle.