The Bangladesh Football Federation scrapped the Shahid Salam District Stadium in Feni as the Bangladesh Premier League venue on Wednesday after it found no significant improvement to the facilities. The stadium, home of Feni Soccer Club, had been hosting the BPL matches since 2010. Feni, who face relegation with 11 points from 18 matches, played the first two legs of the BPL following a commitment by the BFF that the club would be allowed to play all of their third leg matches at the venue.
The BFF venue inspection committee visited the stadium several times this season before coming to the conclusion that it is ineligible for hosting the BPL matches.
‘We assessed the reports of the inspection team before making the decision,’ said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Sohag. ‘The report suggested the club failed to improve the facilities of the dressing room, gallery, medical room and the referee room. So we had no choice but to cancel the venue.
Feni Soccer, however, alleged that the decision was influenced by some top clubs who were unwilling to travel to Feni.
We improved the facilities according to the BFF guidelines,’ said Feni Soccer Club secretary M Akhtaruzzaman. ‘But BFF did not pay any heed to us as some clubs who often lose points in our venue, are unwilling to go there.’
The third phase of the BPL will kick off on June 14.
-With New Age input
