Despite having tickets, many Bangladeshi expatriates tonight failed to enter the National Football Stadium in Male to watch the SAFF Championship encounter between Bangladesh and the hosts.

The Football Association of Maldives allotted only 300 tickets for the match to Bangladeshi fans, who had cheered vehemently during Bangladesh's first two matches against Sri Lanka and India.

A number of spectators were seen waiting to enter the stadium for today's game against the Maldives.

"Police announced that only Bangladeshi spectators who have tickets of I & J serial will be allowed to enter the stadium. We are waiting to enter the gallery," said a Bangladeshi expatriate wearing the jersey of the national football team.

Another spectator expressed anger at Maldivian FA's decision.

"Despite having a legitimate ticket, I can't enter the stadium. I bought tickets with the help of a Maldivian friend," said another spectator. "I have a valid work permit, Covid-19 vaccination cards and legal ticket but they are not doing the right thing by restricting us."

Bangladeshi fans wait in line to enter the stadium ahead of Bangladesh's game against Maldives. Photo: Anisur Rahman

It has been learned that the Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives has requested the Maldives Police commissioner to allow the Bangladesh expatriates with tickets to enter, but the police categorically expressed their inability.

Just an hour ahead of the start the game, nearly a hundred Bangladeshi spectators, who already entered the stadium, were cheering with vuvuzelas, whistling and waving Bangladesh flags.

The hosts were already put on the back foot by a loss to Nepal ahead of their do-or-die contest against Bangladesh. The men in red and green are second in the five-team table with four points, garnered from a win over Sri Lanka and a draw against India. A win or draw would greatly enhance Bangladesh's hopes of playing a first final in the event since 2005.