Bangladesh disadvantaged in AFC’s revamped club competitions

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is all set to revamp its club competitions next year with an increased prize money, leaving Bangladesh with only one indirect slot in the continental club competitions.

Currently, AFC arranges two competitions -- AFC Champions League and AFC Cup -- with Bangladesh Premier League champions directly playing the group stage of AFC Cup while Federation Cup champions take part in the preliminary round and play-off stage of AFC Cup to get into the group stage.

However, the AFC yesterday approved a three-tier continental club competition, with top 24 clubs playing AFC Champions League Elite and next 36 clubs participating in the AFC Champions League 2, while AFC Challenge League to feature 20 clubs.

With three formats set to roll out in next season, 2024, Bangladesh could get only one slot in the third-tier competition of AFC Challenge League.

"We are not getting the opportunity to take part in AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2 on the basis of ranking. On the basis of accumulated points earned from AFC Cup results from 2014 to 2022, Bangladesh will get an indirect slot for the AFC Challenge League 2024," BFF acting general secretary Emran Hossain told The Daily Star yesterday.

"The way Abahani have to take part in the preliminary round and play-off to get into the group stage of AFC Cup, the Bangladeshi club will now have to play preliminary round and play-off matches to get into the group stage of the AFC Challenge League 2024," explained Emran.

The AFC also announced that they will also launch an Asian Women's Champions League and winners of AFC Champions League Elite will earn US$12 million.