BFF abandons BPL 2019-20

The 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2019-20, was finally abandoned on Sunday.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in its meeting on Sunday with federation president Kazi Salahuddin in the chair, decided to abandon the league, which was halted on 15 March after the 6th round due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The meeting took the decision considering the appeal of most of the participating clubs and also the clearance of AFC.

The BFF earlier sought suggestion from their upper body AFC to take decision on the league in this crisis situation and the Asian body (AFC) advised them on last Saturday to take the decision in their own way and to inform it to AFC as early as possible.

Former champion Dhaka Abahani and Chattogram Abahani dominated the league till the 6th round securing 13 points each.

Following the cancellation of the league, this year's BPL football find no new champions, runners up and relegated team.

Moreover, the participation of two Bangladeshi club teams in the AFC Cup Football now became uncertain with the decision.

The BFF meeting also postponed this year's Independence Cup Football and Under-18 Football for the same reasons.

Earlier, the participating clubs were divided over the future of Bangladesh Premier League 2019-20 and were failed to decide whether they will carry the league or to cancel it. But, the BFF then opted to wait until end of May before taking any decision.

Most clubs led by holders Bashundhara Kings agreed to call off the league and to start the season afresh during the league committee meeting on 26 April while two former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club wanted to continue.

BFF vice-president Kazi Nabil Ahmed then proposed to conclude the remaining fixtures with only the local players to reduce extra pressure from the clubs. But, Bashundhara Kings supported by some other clubs, opposed the idea citing that there cannot be be two different rules for one single league.

Only six rounds of fixtures out of 24 was played until 15 March with Abahani and Chattogram Abahani being the joint leaders but only three points separated the top six clubs in the table.