FIFA's ban on Shohag catches BFF boss off guard

An apparent disparity regarding financial aspects had existed between the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and FIFA for the last two years, as evident by the FIFA's decision to ban the BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag.

Although the BFF had previously created headlines for its financial accountability to FIFA, the local game's governing body never admitted the fact.

FIFA even appointed a financial consultant on the BFF account for 2021 and 2022 and the investigatory chamber conducted the investigation. Last February, three BFF top employees, including the BFF general secretary and the chief financial officer, were summoned by FIFA to present their explanation before the FIFA investigatory chamber.

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FIFA’s findings behind two-year ban on BFF GS Shohag

FIFA finally took heavy measures by banning Shohag for two years, indicating the BFF's financial proceedings are not heading the right way. According to FIFA's statement, released on Friday, Shohag breached some code of ethics related to general duty, loyalty, forgery, and falsification of documents.

Despite repeated calls and messages, the BFF general secretary did not respond. However, the BFF president Kazi Salahuddin and BFF senor vice president and finance committee chairman Abdus Salam Murshedy talked about the Shohag issue.

"Yes I heard it [about Shohag's suspension] today. First I have to understand it before explaining it to you. Please give us some time to understand the matter," BFF boss Kazi Salahuddin told The Daily Star today.

"Shohag may have an option to appeal against the decision but we don't have any option but to ban him from all duties.

"We have been aware of the things between FIFA and BFF but we did not expect such a decision," Salahuddin added.

Asked about the falsification of documents that contributed to Shohag's suspension, the BFF senior vice-president revealed he never had "enough time" to verify the documents.

"Last night, I had signed 120 cheques until 12am. I just happen to sign the things approved as per the recommendation of the BFF general secretary [Abu Nayeem Shohag]. To be honest, I don't have enough time to check out all the documents."

"I just bought the bus, microbus for the BFF as per their requirements and signed the cheques approved as per the BFF general secretary's recommendation," said Murshedy, also a member of parliament.

Asked what steps should be taken to prevent such a mishap, Murshedy said, "I have already increased the layers of steps, so that the documents come to the right way after being scrutinized. We have already formed a procurement committee to buy everything and issue cheques for the payment."

He further added that the former FIFA financial consultant was also appointed as the advisor to strengthen the BFF financial matter.  

Shohag joined Bangladesh Football Federation in 2005 as the competition manager before being appointed as the acting general secretary following the demise of first paid general secretary Al Mussabir Sadi in 2011. He started acting as the full-time general secretary on the basis of a contractual job in 2013, after which he got a two-year extension in 2021 up to June 2023.