"The way things are going, it seems that the transfer and the league are being delayed because the federation's lack of sincerity," speakers at a press conference told yesterday.

Representatives of the clubs met the reporters at the local club to clarify their position in the recent tug-of-war between BFF and the clubs, which have made the launching of the pro league uncertain.

"We (the clubs) have agreed that we will not take part in the transfer unless we know that the Bangabandhu National Stadium is ready for football," said Mohammedan Sporting Club official Mostaqur Rahman.

Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu (Abahani), Mizanuddin Ahmed (Brothers Union), Ataur Rahman (Muktijoddha) and Nurul Alam Chowdhury (Sheikh Russel KC) also spoke on the occasion.

"There is no alternate home venue for the eight Dhaka teams and we cannot go for the transfer with uncertainty over the league. Because it would be costly to run the camp," Mostaq said.

Disregarding the BFF's promise to compensate for any delays, the clubs demanded (in a written statement) the resignation of the tournament committee unless it withdraws the latest date of transfer, due to start on October 1, by September 15.

"The tournament committee has failed to handle the situation. It also announced the date of transfer and a tentative date in the third week of November to start the league without our consent," he added.

"In our last meeting on September 10, the tournament committee did not show us any proof that the BNS would be ready in time. We had proposed to form a joint committee (federation, National Sports Council and clubs) to inspect the latest condition of the ground but they have ignored our call," said Mizanuddin.

"Actually, we are 100 percent ready for the transfer but the BFF is not ready. First, the federation officials said they would launch the league on November 7 in presence of French great Zinedine Zidane and AFC president Mohammad Bin Hammam. Suddenly they have deferred the date. They are not sure about any thing," complained former national footballer Chunnu. "We will have the transfer as soon as the venue is prepared."

With both parties adamant, it seems that the footballers would be the only losers. The last transfer being in December 2005, they are all set to lose one season and if the start of the league is delayed, the clubs will be benefitted.

Many feel that with the general election looming ahead, the cash-starved clubs are trying to buy time as they do not have the assurance of getting fund from their donors.

It was learnt that the athletics track that will be laid at the BNS, is on its way to Bangladesh from Germany and it is expected that the shipment would reach Chittagong port in mid-October.

An expert of the NSC, which is in charge of renovating the BNS, told The Daily Star that it would take three weeks to lay the track after its arrival in Dhaka and weather permitting, the works would be finished before the third week of November.

If the clubs do not bow to BFF's decision and keep demanding a transfer in late November, there is no chance that football will roll into the field this year. The AFC guideline says that the clubs should get at least six weeks to prepare for the league from Day One of transfer.