Abahani's Fed Cup opener hangs in balance amid fixture row

Abahani and Brothers Union on Monday protested to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) over its decision to reschedule two of Mohammedan’s upcoming fixtures, with Abahani also requesting that two of their own matches be rescheduled.

Both Abahani and Brothers are scheduled to play their opening Federation Cup 2026-27 fixtures on Tuesday, but as things stand, Abahani’s match hangs in the balance.

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In separate letters, the two clubs questioned why Mohammedan’s fixtures were changed at the club’s request while other teams facing similar circumstances were left with their original schedules.

Bangladesh will compete in the FIFA ASEAN Cup, playing three matches between September 25 and October 1. Nine Mohammedan players have been included in the national squad, prompting the club to request changes to their September 25 Bangladesh Football League match against Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club and their September 29 Federation Cup group-stage fixture against Arambagh Krira Sangha.

The BFF approved the request on September 20, moving Mohammedan’s league match against Fakirerpool to October 2 and their Federation Cup fixture against Arambagh to October 6.

Abahani, meanwhile, said four of their players had joined the national team’s preparation camp, with two subsequently suffering injuries and now undergoing treatment. The club said it would therefore be unable to field those four players in their September 22 Federation Cup fixture against Chattogram City FC and September 26 BFL fixture against Dhaka Wanderers Club, and requested that both matches be rescheduled.

Brothers, meanwhile, did not request a fixture change but described the BFF’s decision as “inconsistent”. The club argued that if Mohammedan’s request was accepted because of their national-team commitments, clubs facing similar circumstances should also receive equal consideration.

Brothers are scheduled to face Rahmatganj MFS in their opening Federation Cup fixture in Manikganj today, while Fortis FC Limited will take on Fakirerpool in Gopalganj in one of three opening-day fixtures.