Newspapers in Bangladesh reported on Sunday that the tournament is almost certain to be held there as there is a strong chance Pakistani players facing visa problems if India were to host the eight-nation event.
“I can assure 85 per cent at the moment that Bangladesh will host the SAFF Championship. The SAFF Congress will be held in Dhaka in October with the presence of AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam. A declaration regarding the Championship will be made at that time,” Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin told reporters in Dhaka.
When contacted, All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco refused to talk and hung up abruptly.
Published 19 July 2009, 16:51 IST