 |
Kathmandu Saturday January 12, 2002 Paush 28, 2058.
|
SAFF C’ship uncertain
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 11: The fate of this year’s
South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship hangs in balance following a decision
by the football world governing body FIFA on Thursday to suspend Bangladesh Football
Federation (BFF).
SAFF Championship, the biggest football event in
the region is due to start from January 26 in Bangladesh.
The Associated Press, in its news dispatched
from Geneva, referring to FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren, reported that Bangladesh is
barred from "all international soccer activities until further notice. "He cited
‘government interference’ in the national association," AP reported. FIFA
had informed BFF of the decision by letter Thursday, following a decision by the FIFA
emergency committee.
Last month Bangladesh federation president S A
Sultan fired the body’s elected executive committee and appointed a new one that FIFA
considers a breach of its rules.
Sultan was appointed to his post by the
government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Sultan is a member of parliament for Zia’s
Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which won a landslide election victory in October.
The Asia Football Confederation (AFC) had
earlier warned Bangladesh to reinstate the elected committee by Jan 8 or face suspension.
However, Ganesh Thapa, the president of FIFA/AFC
affiliated ANFA, hopes the matter would be resolved soon.
"I’ve called general-secretary of
SAFF, Sirazul Islam Bachu, here to discuss the matter," said Thapa, who is the
president of SAFF. "We’ll call a SAFF executive committee meeting in a few
days."
He told The Kathmandu Post that the committee
will look into solutions to hold the tournament. "I’m hopeful we’d find a
way to stage the tournament in Bangladesh as per schedule," he said. "The
tournament will go ahead at any cost. The federation would choose some other venue if
Bangladesh fail to hold the tournament."
FIFA has adopted a tough stance in the past on
alleged political interference in soccer. The world body says its rules aim to protect the
independence of soccer federations, especially in countries where they are subject to
political control and soccer chiefs risk being replaced if the government changes.
The fear that haunt even Nepali football fans
owing to longstanding ANFA dispute.
But Geeta Rana, the president of National Sports
Council recognised ANFA, rules out any chances that Nepal could be subject to similar
action from FIFA and AFC.
"We’ve followed every FIFA and AFC
regulation," she said. "Our committee is elected through the most democratic of
elections held in accordance as per lines suggested by FIFA."
Thapa who rivals her with the parallel football
governing body in the country too sees no reason whatsoever for FIFA to act against Nepal.
"We have been recognised by FIFA and AFC," he explained. "And our regular
participation at World Cup qualifiers and other FIFA-held programmes simply rules out the
chances of Nepal facing similar action."
Other Stories
|
