World football's governing body, FIFA, has turned down a request to extend the transfer window for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the country's top-flight domestic football competition.
The decision comes amid a turbulent period for the league, with several clubs suffering vandalism on 5 August. Sheikh Jamal DC, Abahani, and Fortis FC were among those targeted.
A number of clubs, including Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russel KC, Rahmatganj MFS, and Brothers Union, had appealed to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) for an extension to the player registration window.
They cited potential changes to their executive committees and difficulties in securing funding from sponsors as reasons for their request.
In response to the clubs' pleas, the BFF officially approached FIFA to seek a postponement of the transfer deadline, given the prevailing circumstances in Bangladesh. However, the world governing body has maintained a steadfast stance, refusing to grant an extension.
Zaber Bin Taher Ansari, the BFF's competition manager, confirmed the news, stating, "FIFA has informed us that it's not feasible to extend the player transfer deadline once the window has opened.
We have verbally communicated this decision to all participating clubs.
The registration process must now be finalised by 19 August."
To date, only Abahani have officially registered 14 players since the transfer window opened on 1 June.
