KATHMANDU: Bangladesh Football Federation on Sunday proposed to an inter-ministerial body to allow limited number of fans at the Bangabandhu National Stadium during Bangladesh’s two international friendlies against Nepal on November 13 and 17.

The national team’s committee made this proposal during a virtual meeting, informed BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag.

BFF sought permission to allow at least one third of the stadium’s total audience capacity to enter the venue and vowed to ensure social distancing among the audience, make wearing masks mandatory, washing their hands and checking their body temperature before entry.

‘Since Bangabandhu National Stadium has a capacity of hosting over 20,000 fans, we have sought permission for one third of its capacity,’ Shohag told journalists after the meeting.

BFF also proposed for five days of quarantine for visiting team members, Bangladesh players and coaches, who are currently in abroad, after their arrival in Dhaka.

BFF wanted to kick-off the matches at 6:00pm and expected to have permission from respected authorities within the next three to seven days.

The arrival date of the Nepal team was yet to be confirmed, but their National Sports Council gave permission to the All Nepal Football Association to start team training after the Dashain festival [Bijayia Dashami] today.

Bangladesh national team footballers returned to Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday after almost a seven-month break to train ahead of the friendlies.

Bangladesh team English coach Jamie Day, who is scheduled to return to Dhaka on October 29, picked up 36 players for his preliminary squad, which included 14 members of the Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings.

Some 16 players joined the camp after testing negative for COVID-19 and of them 14 players trained under three local coaches on Saturday.

Midfielder Mamunul Islam, defender Tutul Hossain Badsha, goalkeeper Sahidul Alam and 11 players of Kings are scheduled to join the camp on October 27.

Kings Finish-born defender Tariq Raihan Kazi is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on October 28, a day before the Denmark-born captain Jamal Bhuiyan is expected to join the camp.

Kings denied releasing two of their players — Masuk Mia Jony and forward Matin Miah — as they recently recovered from injuries.