Holders Bashundhara Kings and Uttar Baridhara Club did not turn up for their opening day fixtures in the 12-team Bashundhara Group Federation Cup 2021 at the Bir Shreshta Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Saturday.

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings was due to play newcomers Swadhinata KS at 4 pm in the day’s first match while Independence Cup champions Dhaka Abahani Limited scheduled to meet Uttar Baridhara Club at 6: 45 pm in the day’s other match.

BPL champions Bashundhara Kings were absent for their match, mentioning the below-standard conditions at Kamalapur Stadium for professional football, and what they see as 'bad intention' behind a late change in the fixtures.

But, their rivals Swadhinata KS and Dhaka Abahani Limited were present at the venue in time and match officials also appeared. Later, they left the field after waiting for 15 minutes as per rules.

After the incident, BFF Senior VP and Chairman of the professional league committee Abdus Salam Murshedy MP, said Federation Cup Football will go ahead with teams willing to participate, and the fate of the first day’s two ill-fated matches will be decided as per laws.

That would suggest walkovers for Swadhinota KS and Dhaka Abahani, recorded as 3-0 victories in the books.

Earlier, three premier division clubs – Bashundhara Kings, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Uttara Baridhara Club –informed the BFF in writing that they would not play the Federation Cup in the unplayable conditions of Kamalpur Stadium.

Last Thursday, the ceremonial draw for this major domesticvfootball tournament, the Federation Cup, was held at the conference room of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in Motijheel.

All the 12 teams, split into four groups, will initially compete on league basis matches till December 30.

As per previous schedule, holders Bashundhara Kings and 10-time champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC were drafted in a tough Group A with Swadinata KS, while 11-time champions Dhaka Abahani Limited, Sheikh Russel KC and Uttar Baridhara Club are in Group B.

Saif Sporting Club, Chittagong Abahani and Bangladesh Police FC were placed in Group C while Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Rahmatganj MFS and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in Group D.

Later, two top teams from each of the four groups, will play in the quarterfinals on January 1 and 2. The two semifinals are billed for January 5 and the final will be played on January 8.

The champions will be richer by Tk 5 lakhs while the runners-up will get Tk 3 lakhs as prize money.