Bangladesh suffered a big blow ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia as FIFA extended the touchline ban of head coach Lodewijk de Kruif for one more game.
The world football’s governing body also fined the Dutchman Swiss franc 7500 ($7,642) for his unsporting behaviour during Bangladesh’s opening World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on June 11.
FIFA also asked Kruif to pay an additional amount of Swiss franc 1000 ($1,019) as procedural fees, said the officials of the Bangladesh Football Federation on Tuesday.
Kruif was initially handed a one-match ban after his red card at the later stage of the game in Dhaka.
The 45-year coach was seen mumbling and kicking the water bottles from dugout.
Kruif was forced to watch Bangladesh’s second qualifying match against Tajikistan from the stand as the home side again squandered an early lead to settle for a 1-1 draw against the central Asian team.
A BFF official said FIFA had reviewed the reports of both referee and match commissioner before extended his ban up to Bangladesh’s third match against reigning Asian champions Australia at Perth on September 3.
The ban came as a bolt from the blue for Bangladesh, who are desperately looking to do well in the World Cup qualifiers, which is crucial in their bid for qualifying in the next Asian Cup.
The BFF officials were understandably unhappy saying that his action in the match was nothing but unnecessary. The BFF also added that Kruif also have to pay the fine from his personal account.
‘The national team committee is unhappy with the attitude of Kruif,’ said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag, ‘The committee believes Kruif should change his attitude to avoid further hassles.’
This is not for the first time Kruif was handed a touchline ban as the Dutchman received the similar ban during the SAFF Championship in 2013 after losing his temper in the match against India.
He had to watch the next game against Pakistan from the stand.
-With New Age input
