Salahuddin refuses to quit BFF, vows to contest polls

In the wake of the Sheikh Hasina government's fall, calls for leadership changes in Bangladesh's football and cricket administrations have intensified. 

Many are demanding the removal of Nazmul Hasan Papan from the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Kazi Salahuddin from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

While Nazmul Hasan Papan has remained silent on the issue, Kazi Salahuddin has made his stance clear. The BFF president dismissed the calls for his resignation and announced his intention to run for re-election.

The BFF elections are set for October 26, and Salahuddin, who has been at the helm since 2008, is seeking a fifth term. In a recent interview, he stated, "I will not resign. I will contest the election. It is my democratic right to do so. How can you deprive me of that?"

The Bangladesh Football Ultras, a group of passionate football supporters, has issued an ultimatum demanding Salahuddin's resignation. However, Salahuddin remains unfazed by these demands, insisting that he has done nothing wrong to warrant stepping down. 

He said that he would only step aside if defeated in the election and refused to be intimidated by threats, even suggesting he might seek security from the interim government if necessary.

Salahuddin, who has served as BFF president for 15 years, argued that it is unjust to prevent him from running for re-election. "They are saying that if I don't resign now, I should promise not to run in the election. That is coercion. I will not make such a promise," he asserted.