BFF hands Saad six-month ban as Kings face threat of empty stadiums
The Bashundhara Kings defender, who had already been serving a two-match suspension due to the red card, was handed a more severe punishment after he entered the dugout area post-match and behaved inappropriately with the match commissioner, Sujit Banerjee.
Saad Uddin has been banned from all Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF)-organised competitions for six months following misconduct after being sent off in a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match between Bashundhara Kings and Dhaka Abahani on 2 may at the Kings Arena.
The Bashundhara Kings defender, who had already been serving a two-match suspension due to the red card, was handed a more severe punishment after he entered the dugout area post-match and behaved inappropriately with the match commissioner, Sujit Banerjee. According to the disciplinary committee, Saad pushed the official—an offence that escalated the initial disciplinary measures.
After being served a show-cause notice, Saad admitted to the offence in a written response to the BFF. Taking into account the match report and his statement, the BFF's disciplinary committee imposed a fine of Tk 50,000 and a ban that will run until 14 november.
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Despite the six-month term, Saad will miss only the remaining four matches of the current BPL season. With the transfer window set to open in July and the new season expected to begin in October or November, his effective absence from competitive action could be limited. Saad also retains the right to appeal the decision, which could lead to a reduction in the ban.
However, the suspension may impact his availability for the national team. Bangladesh are set to face Lebanon at home on 10 june in a World Cup and Asian Cup joint qualifier, with matches against Hong Kong scheduled for 9 and 14 october. Saad's ban, which covers all BFF-organised events, could mean he is ineligible for national selection during this period.
The previous BFF committee under Kazi Salahuddin had decided in october 2023 that players serving domestic bans would not be considered for national duty. That precedent was notably applied when several Kings players were excluded from the national side following a disciplinary incident involving alcohol. A similar interpretation would make Saad ineligible as well, although BFF policies have historically lacked consistency.
Saad's teammate and Kings assistant coach Mahbub Hossain Roxy has also been handed a four-match touchline ban for making offensive gestures during the same match.
Meanwhile, the BFF disciplinary committee has issued a stern warning to Bashundhara Kings regarding crowd behaviour at their home venue. The Kings Arena will be under observation for six months following multiple instances of spectator misconduct. Should any similar incidents recur, the club will be forced to play six home matches behind closed doors.
In a press release, the BFF stated:
"As per ongoing Bangladesh Premier League regulation under clause 3.1, Bashundhara Kings have been instructed to take security measures to stage their next home matches, as well as take proper measures to stop undisciplined activities of their spectators."As per BFF disciplinary code 24, the next six home matches of Bashundhara Kings will be staged without spectators or supporters due to the repeated indisciplined activities by the spectators or supporters. However, under BFF disciplinary code 33, BFF officials will be monitoring the home matches of Bashundhara Kings for the next six months, and the suspended punishment will come into effect if the spectators or supporters commit the same undisciplined activities again."
