Bangladesh Police FC

Bangladesh Police
Full nameBangladesh Police Football Club
NicknameThe Policemen
Short nameBPFC
GroundShaheed Barkat Stadium
Capacity5,000
OwnerBangladesh Police
PresidentSheikh Md. Sajjad Ali
Head coachS. M. Asifuzzaman
LeagueBangladesh Football League
2025–26Bangladesh Football League, 4th of 10
Active departments of Farashganj SC
Football (Men's) Football (women's)

Bangladesh Police Football Club (previously known as Bangladesh Police Athletic Club) is a professional football club based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.[1] The club was founded by the Bangladesh Police and formerly the East Pakistan Police. They previously played in the First Division Football League in 1998 – then the second-tier league. Police FC became champions of the Second Division in 2013–14.[2][3] The club gained promotion to the Bangladesh Football League for the first time by becoming champions of the 2018–19 Bangladesh Championship League.

History

Early years

The club was established during the British Raj in Dhaka as the recreational section of the Dhaka Police under the Indian Imperial Police. Although it was occasionally referred to as Dhaka Police Athletic Club, contemporary sources more commonly identified it simply as Police Athletic Club. The team was initially composed of players employed as constables in the police force, although the club soon began recruiting footballers into the police through a sports quota. In 1942, the Policemen became unbeaten champions of the Dhaka Football League Second Division, winning all six of their matches to finish with the maximum 12 points, two ahead of runners-up Siddeswari Club. Their triumph secured promotion to the First Division.[4] However, the club was relegated back to the Second Division prior to the partition of India.

Return to the First Division

First Division League game between Police and Mohammedan (in black), held on 9 July 1964 at the Dhaka Stadium.

Following Partition, the Dhaka team of the East Pakistan Police continued to compete in the Dhaka Football League. In 1949, the club earned promotion to the First Division after finishing as runners-up to Tejgaon Friends Union in the Second Division.[5] They subsequently established themselves as a consistent mid-table side in the top flight throughout the pre-independence period. On 14 August 1957, Police were crowned joint champions of the Independence Day Football Tournament alongside Dhaka Wanderers Club after the final ended in a 1–1 draw at the Dhaka Stadium. The match was attended by the Chief Minister of East Pakistan, Ataur Rahman Khan. Following the draw, Police won a coin toss, giving them the right to retain the trophy for the first six months.[6]

In 1959, the club strengthened its squad by recruiting Nabi Chowdhury, Zahirul Haque, and Kabir Ahmed from the Pakistan national team. On 14 August, Police once again reached the final of the Independence Day Football Tournament, where they shared the title with Azad Sporting Club after the match ended level. As in 1957, the trophy's initial six-month custody was decided by a toss, which was won by Azad Sporting Club.[7] In the same year, the club also reached the second round of the 1959 Aga Khan Gold Cup, where they were defeated 4–2 by Karachi Port Trust.[8] Between 1959 and 1967, Dhaka Police won the Zakir Hussain Shield, the trophy awarded in the Provincial Police Football Tournament, for seven consecutive years.[9][10]

Stagnation, relegations and professional league

After the independence of Bangladesh, control of the club was taken over by the Bangladesh Police. The Policemen were among the fifteen clubs that resumed participation in the Dhaka Football League First Division in 1972. However, after the 1972 season was abandoned midway, the club finished the 1973 season in 12th place. In 1975, they finished as runners-up in the Independence Cup, losing 0–1 to BIDC in the final. The following decade saw the Policemen consistently battle against relegation before they were finally relegated in 1982, bringing an end to the club's 32-year stay in the top flight.

The club made a comeback to the First Division after securing the runners-up position in the Second Division during the 1989–90 season. However, their stay in the top flight was curtailed after experiencing another relegation in the 1992 season. In 1993, following the inception of the Premier Division, Police's Second Division triumph during the 1994 season which concluded in 1995 meant that the club would participate in the 1995 First Division, which began serving as a second-tier. The club spent two years in the First Division before facing relegation once again in 1998.[11]

Since 1999, Police spent 15 years in the Second Division before a new generation, inspired by Amirul Islam, was crowned league champions in the 2013–14 season.[12][13] The club was directly promoted to the Bangladesh Championship League after meeting the criteria required to enter the professional football league, and the club officially registered to participate on 14 October 2015.[14] During this time, Police also participated in the 2011–12 and 2013 editions of the Federation Cup, without finding much success. The club started going by Bangladesh Police AC, following their promotion to the professional league.[15]

The club entered the Championship League from the 2014–15 season and concluded their inaugural season in the second-tier professional league in 4th place. Police finished mid-table in the subsequent two seasons and barely contended for promotion. On 12 May 2019, following a 1–0 victory over Wari Club, Police secured promotion to the Bangladesh Football League with three games still remaining in the 2018–19 Bangladesh Championship League.[16][17] On 26 May 2019, Police were officially announced as champions after defeating Feni Soccer Club 5–1 in the season finale.[18][19] The club's lethal striker, Amirul Islam, scored four goals, including his second hat trick of the season during the match, and finished as the league's top scorer with 17 goals.[20][21][22]

Bangladesh Football League era

Police began the 2019–20 season with the 2019 Federation Cup, where they crashed out after being defeated 3–0 by Bashundhara Kings in the semi-finals.[23] Thus, the Federation Cup campaign of Police FC ended.[24] The club, which throughout its history has mainly consisted of employed police constables, signed four foreign players, including Puerto Rico national team striker Sidney Rivera.[25] On 16 February 2020, Police began their 2019–20 Premier League campaign with a 0–2 defeat to Dhaka Abahani.[26] In its following games four days later, Police salvaged a point with a 1–1 draw with Bashundhara Kings, thanks to an own goal from Kings defender Nurul Naium Faisal. On 24 February 2020, Police secured their first-ever victory in the professional league, defeating Uttar Baridhara 2–1.[27] The club's goals came from Sidney Rivera and Antonio Laskov. Nevertheless, their first season in the professional league only lasted for five matches, as domestic football was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The club was also renamed to Bangladesh Police FC soon after their entry to the professional top-tier.

Before the 2020–21 Premier League began, Police replaced their first foreign coach, Nicolas Vitorović, with Sri Lankan Pakir Ali.[28] Police finished 8th in their first full season in the professional league. In October 2021, Police appointed Romanian coach Aristică Cioabă as their third foreign head coach. In their first season under Cioabă, Police finished 8th in the league. After the season, the club's legendary striker Amirul Islam retired.[29] Police began its 2022–23 season with the 2022 Independence Cup and finished fourth after suffering a 4–1 defeat against Dhaka Abahani. The club finished the 2022–23 Premier League in third place, their highest ever in the top flight.[30][31] Police were also the only club to defeat eventual champions Bashundhara Kings during the league season.[32][33]

Ground

The Bangladesh Police Football Ground, located in Purbachal, Dhaka, was inaugurated by Inspector General of Police Md. Ali Hossain Fakir on 25 July 2026. Covering nearly 100,000 square feet, the facility serves as the home ground and a dedicated training venue for Bangladesh Police FC.[34][35]

Current squad

As of 12 August 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  BAN Rakibul Hasan Tushar
3 DF  BAN Md Sagor Mia
4 DF  BAN Md Rabiul Islam
7 FW  BAN M. S. Bablu
8 MF  UGA Shafiq Kagimu
11 FW  BAN Rabby Hossen Rahul
14 MF  BAN Manik Hossain Molla (captain)
15 MF  BAN Shamim Ahmed
17 DF  BAN Isa Faysal (vice-captain)
18 MF  BAN Moinul Islam Moin
22 GK  BAN Dinaj Hosan Jubed
24 FW  BAN Dipok Roy
28 FW  BAN Amirul Islam
32 DF  BAN Rakib Hossen
33 DF  BAN Akibur Rahman
34 DF  BAN Sharif Uddin Nirob
55 FW  BAN Md. Al-Amin
No. Pos. Nation Player
66 GK  BAN Md Asif
70 FW  BAN Asharouf Jaman Khan Opi
77 DF  BAN Joyonto Kumar Roy
95 FW  BAN Sree Sumon Soren
97 FW  BAN Sanowar Hossain
— MF  BAN Md Arafat Hossain
— FW  BAN Arman Foysal Akash
— FW  BAN Morshedul Islam
— FW  BAN Hossain Mohammad Arian
— DF  BAN Tutul Hossain Badsha
— DF  BAN Mohammad Rockey
— DF  BAN Jahid Hasan
— MF  BAN Akmol Hossain Noyon
— DF  BRA Marcelinho Jr
— FW  CMR Junior Ngong Sam
— FW  SEN Rassoul Ba

Current technical staff

Coaching staff

As of August 2025
Role Name
Head coach Bangladesh S. M. Asifuzzaman
Fitness coach Iran Pouria Jarrahi
Goalkeeping coach Bangladesh Nizam Mozumdar
Team manager Bangladesh Mollik Ahsan Uddin Sami
Physiotherapist Bangladesh Md Azad Sharif Sujon

Board of directors

As of August 2025
Role Name
President Bangladesh Sheikh Md. Sajjad Ali
Vice-president Bangladesh Faruk Ahmed
General secretary Bangladesh Ahmad Muyeed

Head coach's record

As of 11 August 2026
Head Coach Nat. From To P W D L GS GA %W
S. M. Asifuzzaman Bangladesh February 2019 May 2019 2011633113055.00
Nicolas Vitorović Cyprus 4 August 2019[36] 31 August 2020 93241016033.33
Pakir Ali Sri Lanka October 2020 August 2021 2668122842023.08
Aristică Cioabă Romania October 2021[37] 31 May 2024 79322225120102040.51
Mahabubul Haque Jowel Bangladesh August 2024 30 June 2025 229582829040.91
S. M. Asifuzzaman[38] Bangladesh 20 July 2025 Present 238962524034.78

P – Total of played matches W – Won matches D – Drawn matches L – Lost matches GS – Goal scored GA – Goals against
%W – Percentage of matches won

Season by season record

Record as Professional Football League member
Season Division League Federation Cup Independence Cup Asian club competition Top league scorer(s)
P W D L GF GA Pts Position Player Goals
2015/16 BCL 14 3 8 3 13 11 17 4th — — — Bangladesh Amirul Islam 4
2016 BCL 14 4 6 4 11 9 18 4th — — Bangladesh Amirul Islam
Bangladesh Komol Barua		 4
2017 BCL 18 5 7 6 12 12 22 7th — —
2018/19 BCL 20 11 6 3 31 13 39 Champions — — Bangladesh Amirul Islam 17
2019/20 BFL Abandoned Semi-finals — 3 players 1
2020/21 BFL 24 6 7 11 26 39 25 9th Group-stage — Ivory Coast Christian Kouakou 7
2021/22 BFL 22 8 6 8 28 32 30 8th Group-stage Semi-finals Afghanistan Amredin Sharifi 9
2022/23 BFL 20 10 5 5 39 21 35 3rd Group-stage Third-place Venezuela Edward Morillo 9
2023/24 BFL 18 7 5 6 23 19 26 4th Semi-final Quarter-final Colombia Edis Ibargüen
Venezuela Edward Morillo		 5
2024/25 BFL 18 8 3 7 23 24 27 7th Group-stage Not held Bangladesh Al-Amin 10
2025/26 BFL 18 6 9 3 19 15 27 4th Group-stage Brazil Paulo Henrique 6
2026/27 BFL AFC Challenge League Preliminary stage

P – Total of played matches W – Won matches D – Drawn matches L – Lost matches GF – Goals for the team GA – Goals against
Pts- Points

Performance in AFC competitions

2026–27: Preliminary stage
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2026–27 AFC Challenge League Preliminary stage Syria Al Ittihad Ahli 0–1

Honours

Shirt sponsors

Period Shirt sponsor
2015–16 Popular Life Insurance Limited[41][42][43]
2017–18 Runner Group[44]
2018–19 Nirman
2019–present Nasir Group

Controversy

On 24 May 2019, Police constable Mohammad Shamim assaulted BFF's competition manager Zaber Bin Ansari after being denied entry into the ground during a match against Feni Soccer Club. The Police, having already secured the 2018–19 Bangladesh Championship League title before the game, would eventually be presented with the trophy after the match's conclusion.[45]

Subsequently, four more players—Amirul Islam, Tarek Aziz, Azmi Omar, and Sarwar Hossain—joined Shamim in the assault right after the completion of the prize-giving ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. In response to their involvement, all four police players were fined Tk 1 lakh each. Amirul and Aziz received two-match suspensions, while Omar and Sarwar were handed nine-match bans each. The team's physiotherapist, Santanu Mallik, also received a nine-match ban and a Tk 2 lakh fine.[46] As for Shamim, he was handed a lifetime stadium ban across the country as part of the disciplinary actions.[47]

Notable players

  • The players below had senior international cap(s) for their respective countries. Players whose names are listed represented their countries before or after playing for Bangladesh Police FC.

Africa

Asia

North America

References

  1. ↑ "Bangladesh Police FC". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  2. ↑ প্রথম বিভাগে উত্তীর্ণ হলো পুলিশ অ্যাথলেটিক্স. Risingbd.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  3. ↑ "Police take Championship League crown". The Daily Star. 21 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  4. ↑ "DACCA FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONCLUDE". Amrita Bazar Patrika. 5 August 1942. p. 8. Archived from the original on 10 July 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
  5. ↑ Hossain, Faaris Na'il. "Bangladesh - List of Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Dacca Wanderers Draw with Police". Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore). Associated Press of Pakistan. 15 August 1957. p. 11. Retrieved 12 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ↑ "Azad Sporting Win on Toss". Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore). Associated Press of Pakistan. 16 August 1959. p. 8. Retrieved 11 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ↑ "Dour Police Go Down to KPT (4–2)". The Pakistan Observer. 15 September 1959. p. 6.
  9. ↑ "Dacca Police WIN ZAKIR SHIELD". The Pakistan Observer. 26 September 1959. p. 6.
  10. ↑ "Dacca annex Zakir Hossain Shield". The Pakistan Observer. 25 September 1967. p. 6. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via gpa.eastview.com.
  11. ↑ "Bangladesh Second Level 1997/98". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023.
  12. ↑ প্রিমিয়ারের স্বপ্নপূরণ পুলিশ ফুটবল ক্লাবের (in Bengali). 12 May 2019. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023.
  13. ↑ শিরোপা জিততে চায় পুলিশ বাংলাদেশ চ্যাম্পিয়নশিপ ফুটবল লীগ. Janakantha (in Bengali). 15 October 2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023.
  14. ↑ পেশাদার ফুটবল লীগে পুলিশ. Jugantor (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  15. ↑ "Bangladesh Championship League kicks off today". The Daily Observer. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  16. ↑ "Police FC promoted to BPL". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  17. ↑ প্রিমিয়ার লিগ ফুটবলে জায়গা করে নিল পুলিশ ফুটবল ক্লাব (in Bengali), Jamuna TV, 15 May 2019, archived from the original on 24 September 2022, retrieved 1 June 2019
  18. ↑ আবারও ফুটবলের সর্বোচ্চ পর্যায়ে পুলিশ. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  19. ↑ "BCL Football league final: Police FC beat Feni Soccer Club by 5-1 goals". The Independent. Dhaka. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  20. ↑ ভারসাম্যপূর্ণ দল গড়বে পুলিশ. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 26 May 2019. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024.
  21. ↑ "Police secure BPL promotion". The Daily Star. 16 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  22. ↑ "Bangladesh Police lift BCL trophy, Uttar Baridhara runners up". BFF. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  23. ↑ তিন দেশের তিনজনের গোলে ফাইনালে বসুন্ধরা কিংস. Jago News 24 (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  24. ↑ পুলিশকে উড়িয়ে ফাইনালে বসুন্ধরা কিংস. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  25. ↑ "Police FC announce grand arrival". Dhaka Tribune. 20 November 2019. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  26. ↑ পুলিশকে হারিয়ে অভিযান শুরু আবাহনীর. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 17 February 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  27. ↑ উত্তর বারিধারাকে হারিয়ে লিগে প্রথম জয় পেল পুলিশ. Sarabangla.net. 24 February 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  28. ↑ যে কারনে বাংলা শিখেছিলেন পাকির আলী. Daily Naya Diganta (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  29. ↑ জাতীয় দলে খেলার স্বপ্ন পূরণ হয়নি. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 21 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022.
  30. ↑ নিরবচ্ছিন্ন লিগে পুলিশের নীরব বিপ্লব. The Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023.
  31. ↑ "Police finish Bangladesh Premier League in third position". The Daily Star. 22 July 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "With state support, all goes well for Police". Dhaka Tribune. 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023.
  33. ↑ বড় বড় দলকে পেছনে ফেলে তৃতীয় হয়ে পুলিশের চমক. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 22 July 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023.
  34. ↑ পুলিশ ফুটবল গ্রাউন্ড উদ্বোধন করলেন আইজিপি. dailynayadiganta.com (in Bengali). 26 July 2026. Archived from the original on 2 August 2026.
  35. ↑ বড় চ্যালেঞ্জে ফর্টিস-পুলিশ. kalbela.com (in Bengali). 27 July 2026. Archived from the original on 2 August 2026.
  36. ↑ সাইপ্রাসের ফুটবল কোচ নিয়োগ দিয়েছে পুলিশ. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 4 August 2019. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  37. ↑ পুলিশ এফসি'তে রোমানিয়ান কোচ!. OffsideBangladesh (in Bengali). 17 October 2021. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  38. ↑ কিংস ছেড়ে পুলিশ ফুটবল ক্লাবে কোচ আসিফুজ্জামান. banglatribune.com (in Bengali). 21 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  39. ↑ "Bangladesh 1975". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  40. ↑ "Independence Day Football Tournament". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  41. ↑ "Popular Life Insurance sponsors Bangladesh Police Football Team". Daily Sun. 27 November 2015. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  42. ↑ পুলিশ ফুটবল দল স্পন্সর পেল. Jugantor (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  43. ↑ "Popular boost for Police AC". The Daily Star. 25 November 2015. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  44. ↑ বাংলাদেশ পুলিশ ফুটবল ক্লাবের স্পন্সর রানার গ্রুপ. dmpnews.org (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  45. ↑ Independent Television (24 May 2019), মাঠে ঢোকা নিয়ে পুলিশ-বাফুফে কর্মকর্তাদের মারপিট, আহত ৫ ।। BFF-Police (in Bengali), archived from the original on 24 September 2022, retrieved 1 June 2019
  46. ↑ "BFF fines Police; bans four players". The Daily Star. 28 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  47. ↑ "Police FC penalized for breaching code of conduct". BFF. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  48. ↑ Kabir, Shajahan (6 January 2024). ফুটবলে তখন নাম ছিল, টাকা-পয়সার ব্যাপার ছিল না [Football had name back then, Money was not a problem]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  49. ↑ চলে গেলেন ফুটবলার জহিরুল হক. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 6 January 2024. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024.
  50. ↑ Chanchal, Mozzamel Haque. সোনালী অতীতের কিংবদন্তি ফুটবলার কবির আহমেদ আর নেই. Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 22 May 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  51. ↑ ডিএমপি কমিশনারের সঙ্গে পুলিশ ফুটবল ক্লাবের বিদেশি খেলোয়াড়দের সাক্ষাৎ. Protidiner Bangladesh (in Bengali). 27 March 2024. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024.
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