Footballers have been facing financial crisis since the fall of the Awami League government, expressing disappointment and regret.

Sports Desk

After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the country’s sports arena, like many other things, is in shambles. Along with cricket, domestic football is also in a state of misery. After the change of power, the clubs are suffering from a financial crisis. As a result, footballers are receiving nominal salaries, and some are not getting teams at all. As a result, they are lamenting in despair.

Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra and Sheikh Jamal Limited withdrew from the top league last season after the fall of the government. Since these two clubs are named after the sons of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, they are suffering from a sponsorship crisis. Abahani Limited, a club founded by Bangabandhu’s eldest son Sheikh Kamal, is able to play cricket and football because it is on a solid foundation. It has also become a champion in cricket under adverse conditions. Abahani has also formed a team in football and started practicing for the AFC Club Cup.

However, all the other clubs are in crisis. The Bashundhara Kings will also play in the AFC Club Cup, but they are not discussing contracts with the players, let alone training. The Awami League government was overthrown on August 5, 2024, and the entire economic system collapsed. The management of the clubs has changed. As a result, the players’ salaries have decreased by less than half.

Last year, footballers like Masuk Mia Johnny, Matin Mia and Biplu Ahmed sat out and could not play due to not receiving the Bhadrastha honorarium. Forward Sajjad Hossain, who plays for the national team, told a national daily, “The situation is delicate for the players, not good at all. Most of them are struggling to get good offers from the clubs. I am not sure whether my former club Brothers Union will keep me. We have expenses, after all.”

National team defenders Saad Uddin and Topu Barman expressed their disappointment. Saad said, “As far as I know, most clubs are planning to form teams with a low budget. That means the players will have to accept lower salaries again, in this situation we have nothing to do.”

Many players have not even received their dues from last year. “The current situation is very difficult for the players. We made a lot of sacrifices last season,” said Tapu.

Several club officials have said they have further reduced their budgets for the new season. For example, in Rahmatganj, coach Kamal Babu said that the maximum salary of local footballers will be reduced from 1.2 million to 4 million.

Fortis FC manager Rashedul Islam said, “Our budget will be 50-60 lakhs less than last season. We have taken seven-eight players from BCL through trials so that we can place players with a lower budget.”

Meanwhile, a national footballer who did not wish to be named said, “This change has not benefited the country in any way. It is bringing destruction in all directions. If this continues, the careers of many will be over.”