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Published : 08 Sep 2025, 07:04 PM
The upcoming friendly between the Bangladesh national team and their Nepali counterparts has been thrown into doubt after the death of 14 in youth-led protests against government corruption and a social media ban in Nepal.
Demonstrations escalated on Monday, with confrontations reported around the parliament building in New Baneshwor and other key areas.
Police deployed tear gas and live ammunition, leading to fatalities as documented by local media outlets like the Kathmandu Post.
Curfews were imposed in parliamentary and diplomatic zones, disrupting normal activities across the capital.
The unrest directly impacted the national football teams, preventing both from conducting their scheduled training sessions at Dasharath Stadium.
Nepal's squad turned back midway en route to practice, returning to their hotel amid safety concerns.
Bangladesh's team, preparing to depart for a 3pm session, was advised by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) officials to remain indoors.
“Due to adverse conditions, we were unable to go outside. Field practice has been suspended. However, Javier Cabrera is conducting training with the team in the hotel gymnasium,” team manager Amer Khan told bdnews24.com.
ANFA convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation and decide on the feasibility of Tuesday's match.
A pre-match press conference had proceeded smoothly earlier on Monday, involving coaches, captains, and players from both sides.
Tensions have been building in the country since Friday, when authorities blocked platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
Student-led outrage over alleged corruption fuelled the call for street protests, culminating in Monday's widespread disorder.
