Bangladesh-Nepal friendly cancelled amid Kathmandu unrest

The second and final FIFA friendly between Bangladesh and hosts Nepal scheduled for Tuesday has been called off, as protests against corruption and a government-imposed social media ban gripped Kathmandu on Monday.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) general secretary Emran Hossain confirmed the development to The Daily Star.

According to The Himalayan Times, at least 200 people have been injured and 18 killed in the demonstrations, which forced the team to abandon their scheduled practice at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium ahead of Tuesday's FIFA friendly against Nepal.

The BFF added in a press release that they are in constant touch with Nepal's football board (ANFA) and the Bangladesh embassy in Kathmandu.

Bangladesh contingent have remained confined to their hotel in Kathmandu after cancelling Monday's training session. The players instead trained at the hotel gym, with coach Javier Cabrera stressing that any outdoor session must only take place if safety is assured.

"All members of the team are safe," team manager Amer Khan told The Daily Star earlier in the day.

"The unrest is near the parliament, around a 30-minute drive away, but we've made it clear we won't move without a police escort and full security.