BHF general secretary Shamsul Bari had earlier informed that it was just a matter of time to lift the ban on the talented Abahani midfielder after its president Air Vice-Marshal Fakhrul Azam sympathised with him.

But the BHF president excluded the topic from its agenda at the start of the meeting and told the other members to concentrate only on first two issues -- the financial matter of recently concluded Under-21 Challenge Cup and the proposed Asian Club Cup meet.

After the meeting, the BHF secretary came up mealy-mouthed about the issue of Rana.

"I can only say that the situation has somehow become cloudy," Bari said without elaborating. The veteran organiser, however, informed that there was hardly any chance to withdraw his suspension before this year's Premier League.

But the surprise presence of BHF vice-president Monir Ahmed, the chairman of Mohammedan Sporting Club's hockey committee, in the meeting might have had something to do with the delay.

Monir, who was recently elected Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) vice-president, had tendered his resignation from the body last year and did not return to the federation until yesterday although his resignation was not accepted.

The BHF imposed a lifetime ban on Rana following his unruly act during last year's Club Cup final between archrivals Abahani and Mohammedan.