Subscribers Only Have you subscribed yet?
Updated : Nov 01, 2026 17:08 IST , Chennai - 1 MIN READ
Ronan Sullivan, 20, had earned plaudits for his impressive show at the SAFF U-20 Championship earlier this year, where he scored the winning penalty. | Photo Credit: AIFF Media
Bangladesh was dealt an blow before the 2026 SAFF Championships as its midfielder Ronan Sullivan was ruled out of the tournament days before their opening match.
“Yes. He told me last Thursday that he wouldn’t be able to come and sincerely apologised,” Fahad Karim, the vice-president of the Bangladesh Football Federation, was quoted as telling the Bangladeshi media outlet The Daily Star.
Sullivan, 20, had earned plaudits for his impressive show at the SAFF U-20 Championship earlier this year, where he scored the winning penalty. Having earned his maiden senior call-up, he was expected to arrive in Bangladesh on Monday night – a plan that seems reportedly cancelled now.
Bangladesh is hosting the tournament after eight years and is drawn with Sri Lanka and Bhutan, and will open the campaign against Bhutan on November 5.
The team, under head coach Thomas Dooley, is likely to miss out on Hamza Choudhury and Farhaan Ali Wahid for the opening match.
Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment
Loading comments…