Sabina and teammates defy BFF President’s plea, boycott training continues | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 24, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
Sabina and teammates defy BFF President’s plea, boycott training continues

Sports

TBS Report
08 February, 2025, 03:55 pm
Last modified: 08 February, 2025, 04:03 pm

Related News

  • BFF to appoint Saeid Khodarahmi as coach for Futsal team
  • Sagorika scores four as Bangladesh win SAFF again
  • Experiment over, Butler prepared for title showdown
  • Flooded pitch. Torn boots. Little help. Yet Ghagra keeps producing champions
  • Bangladesh net nine goals against Sri Lanka, Sagorika scores a hat-trick

Sabina and teammates defy BFF President’s plea, boycott training continues

Meanwhile, Butler conducted training with the remaining 12 senior players and members of the under-20 squad.

TBS Report
08 February, 2025, 03:55 pm
Last modified: 08 February, 2025, 04:03 pm
Sabina and teammates defy BFF President’s plea, boycott training continues

The crisis in Bangladesh women's football shows no signs of resolution as 18 players continue to boycott training under head coach Peter Butler.

Despite repeated assurances from Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal, the players remain firm in their stance.

After returning to the country on 5 February, Tabith met with the women's team to address their grievances and pledged to ensure their dignity and respect.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

He urged them to resume training on 8 February, but his request was ignored, with none of the 18 boycotting players showing up.

BFF officials had anticipated that at least a few of the protesting players might reconsider following the president's assurances.

However, the collective decision to stay away reinforced their unity. Meanwhile, Butler conducted training with the remaining 12 senior players and members of the under-20 squad.

The dispute began during the SAFF Women's Championship in Nepal last October, when some senior players accused Butler of favouring younger players and disregarding the experienced members of the squad.

Following their victorious campaign, one senior player publicly stated that she would refuse to train under Butler. However, BFF extended the British coach's contract, intensifying the conflict.

On 29 January, the 18 protesting players submitted a formal letter to BFF president Tabith Awal, accusing Butler of misconduct. The issue became public the following day, prompting BFF to form a seven-member investigative committee.

The committee's report, submitted on 6 February, highlighted disciplinary breaches on both sides—by the coach and the players. However, it appeared to downplay Butler's actions while focusing more on the players' conduct.

As a consequence, BFF has reportedly decided to penalise four or five players seen as leaders of the protest. There are also suggestions that Sabina Khatun, captain of the national team, could be removed from her role.

Nevertheless, the protesting players remain resolute, having already decided to boycott training and leave the camp if necessary.

The federation's stance in favour of Butler has created a significant dilemma. With 16 of the 18 protesting players being part of the SAFF-winning squad, their absence could deal a major blow to the national team.

Even the intervention of the Directorate of Sports (DG), which issued directives on discipline, has failed to sway the players.

Three BKSP students remain aligned with Sabina and her group, while Japanese-origin footballer Sumaiya has defied her guardian's request to distance herself from the protest.

Football

Bangladesh Women's Football Team / Tabith Awal / Peter Butler / Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF)

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • An An-24 aircraft of Angara Airlines takes off from the airport of Irkutsk, Russia, in this picture taken in April 2014. Photo: Reuters/File
    Plane with 50 aboard crashes in Russia's far east, no survivors
  • Pay Commission formed to revise salary structure of employees under National Pay Scale
    Pay Commission formed to revise salary structure of employees under National Pay Scale
  • Personnel from the Bangladesh Army and Fire Service and Civil Defence are working at the scene to rescue victims and douse the flames. Photo: TBS
    Milestone tragedy: 14 among 57 hospitalised are in ICU

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • BB issues dress code for all, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings for female staff
    BB issues dress code for all, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings for female staff
  • Infographics: TBS
    Stay orders won’t shield defaulters: BB governor 

Related News

  • BFF to appoint Saeid Khodarahmi as coach for Futsal team
  • Sagorika scores four as Bangladesh win SAFF again
  • Experiment over, Butler prepared for title showdown
  • Flooded pitch. Torn boots. Little help. Yet Ghagra keeps producing champions
  • Bangladesh net nine goals against Sri Lanka, Sagorika scores a hat-trick

Features

Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

13h | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Bangladesh Bank withdraws dress code guidelines

Bangladesh Bank withdraws dress code guidelines

47m | TBS Today
Thai-Cambodian troops clash over disputed border

Thai-Cambodian troops clash over disputed border

2h | TBS World
Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained

Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained

2h | TBS Today
Why are there renewed tensions between Iran and Israel?

Why are there renewed tensions between Iran and Israel?

3h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net