Saff winner Sumaiya faces rape and death threats amid national team turmoil
The Japanese-origin footballer shared her ordeal in a Facebook post, where she reflected on her struggles to become a professional footballer and the mental toll of the threats.
Bangladesh's football scene has been thrown into turmoil in recent days following a rift between women's national team coach Peter Butler and several senior players.
The dispute has sparked widespread debate on social media, with Saff champions such as Sabina Khatun, Rituparna Chakma, and Matsushima Sumaiya clashing with the coach over various issues.
In the midst of this crisis, Sumaiya has come forward with a disturbing revelation—she has been receiving rape and death threats.
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The Japanese-origin footballer shared her ordeal in a Facebook post, where she reflected on her struggles to become a professional footballer and the mental toll of the threats.
"Assalamu Alaikum. My name is Matsushima Sumaiya, and I am a player for the Bangladesh women's national football team. From playing inter-school football as an English-medium student to winning a league title in the Maldives and securing the SAFF Women's Championship for Bangladesh in 2024, my journey has been bittersweet."
Sumaiya described how she pursued football to inspire young students whose parents wanted them to focus solely on academics. She wanted to prove that passion and determination could break any barrier. But now, she regrets the sacrifices she made.
"I sacrificed my education, my family, my Eid celebrations—all for a country that does not know how to appreciate our struggles."
Reports suggest that Sumaiya played a key role in drafting a formal letter in English on behalf of her teammates, addressing their grievances against coach Butler to Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal. Since then, she has been subjected to a barrage of rape and death threats.
"I fought with my parents for the right to play football, believing that one day my country would stand by me. But the reality is completely different. No one actually cares about an athlete's mental health. Over the past few days, I have received countless threats—the words used have shattered me in ways I never imagined. I don't know how long it will take me to heal from this trauma. But one thing I do know is that no one should have to go through this just to pursue their dreams."
