Photo: Collected
Amid a player revolt, Bangladesh women's national football team coach Peter Butler held his first training session in his second spell in charge, with only 13 players in attendance at Bangabandhu Stadium on 1 February 2025.
While training had been delayed due to venue issues, a major section of the squad refused to take part, protesting against the coach's continued tenure. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) had initially called up 31 players for the camp, though Anai Mogini has yet to report.
Of the 30 available players, only Ripa, Afida, Irene, Kohati Kisku, Pranti, Swapna, Yarjan, Arpita, Halima, Aklima, Munki, Surma, and Preeti turned up for training. The remaining 18 players, including senior figures such as Sabina Khatun, Krishna, Maria, Sanjida, Masura, Monica, Rituparna, and Rupna Chakma, continued their boycott.
Several younger players, including Neela, also joined them. Two days earlier, the group formally announced that they would refuse to train under Butler and threatened to step away from football altogether if BFF insisted on keeping him. Discontent between Butler and the senior players had been building since before the SAFF Championship, with tensions spilling into the open during the tournament.
Although Bangladesh won the title, the squad remained dissatisfied with the coach's approach. However, BFF extended his contract for another two years, disregarding the players' concerns. In response to the crisis, BFF has formed a special committee, which is scheduled to meet later today to discuss possible solutions.
The session also marked the first training held at Bangabandhu Stadium since renovation work began in July 2021. BFF has yet to officially receive control of the venue from the National Sports Council (NSC) and is currently using it on a temporary basis for the women's team's preparations.
Messenger/Tareq
