Mohammedan threaten involving FIFA over smoke flare incident in Challenge Cup

Mohammedan Sporting Club threatened to go to FIFA if the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) takes no initiative regarding the smoke flare incident during last Friday's one-off Challenge Cup final between Mohammedan and Bashundhara Kings at the Kings Area. 

Mohammedan made this demand in writing as they sent a letter, signed by the club's director in charge of administration Kazi Firoz Rashid, to  BFF general secretary Emran Hossain Tushar on Wednesday.   

The letter also stated that Mohammedan will not play any matches at the Bashundhara Kings Arena due to security concerns. 

Mohammedan said in the letter that some 50 to 60 ardent supporters of Bashundhara Kings suddenly started distracting Mohammedan players by hurling abusive words toward them and by playing vuvuzela in the second half of the game. 

It also mentioned that smoke flares were thrown on the Mohammedan players from behind the goalpost by Bashundhara Kings supporters after 62 minutes, causing breathing problems and burning of the eyes. 

Mohammedan also claimed in the letter that Kings' supporters did this in a planned way as many of them admitted to creating such a situation in interviews with different media houses following the game which the Kings eventually won 3-1 even after conceding first in the first half. 

"According to FIFA rules, if such incidents happen in any matches, the result goes in favour of the opposition team after suspending the match, and there are such instances. We continued playing in the greater interest of football. Now, if BFF doesn't take any initiatives regarding this incident, the authority of Mohammedan SC will be forced to inform FIFA about it," read a statement issued by Mohammedan. 
 
The letter also mentioned that there were no reserved seats for Mohammedan SC president, directors, and the members of football committee at the Kings Arena. 

Mohammedan also urged BFF to take proper action in line with FIFA regulations in the greater interest of football.