Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) coach Alfaz Ahmed has attributed the team's loss in the Challenge Cup last Friday to fans throwing paint onto the field. In response, MSC authorities have written to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) General Secretary, detailing the incident and demanding appropriate action. They have also announced that they will no longer play matches at Kings Arena due to security concerns.
The letter, signed by MSC Director-in-Charge Kazi Firoz Rashid, is titled 'Regarding the deliberate unpleasant incident in the Challenge Cup final.' It provides a detailed account of the paint-throwing incident in the 62nd minute, noting that there were no spectators in that part of the stadium during the first half, but that spectators entered deliberately in the second half.
MSC claims that a group of 50-60 Bashundhara Kings fans disrupted their goalkeeper with abusive language and vuvuzelas, and threw smoke flares at Mohammedan players, forcing the foreign referee to suspend the game. The Motijheel outfit believes the incident was a deliberate and well-planned act by Bashundhara Kings fans.
MSC was leading 1-0 when the game was suspended due to the smoke flare. After a ten-minute suspension (which Mohammedan claims was 20 minutes), Kings equalised within three minutes of the restart. Mohammedan eventually won the Challenge Cup by scoring two more goals. Despite finishing the game in the interest of football, MSC has demanded that the BFF take appropriate action, threatening to appeal to FIFA if necessary.
In addition to the November 22 match, MSC's letter also references past incidents at Kings Arena, stating that Bashundhara Kings' supporters frequently abuse and behave violently towards opposing fans, creating an insecure environment. The letter asserts that Mohammedan will not play at Kings Arena due to these security issues.
The issue of smoke flares thrown by fans during the Challenge Cup is included in the match commissioner's report and will be addressed by the disciplinary committee. The outcome of their decision remains to be seen.
Bashundhara Kings, who began playing in the Premier League in 2018, have a fierce on-field rivalry with Mohammedan, despite their main rival on paper being Abahani. Mohammedan was the only team to defeat Bashundhara Kings at Kings Arena last season and also beat them to reach the Federation Cup final the previous season. Both teams have previously sent letters to the federation regarding refereeing decisions in their matches, highlighting the intense rivalry that extends beyond the field.
