Five of the nine rebel players including Sabina Khatun ignored for the tri-nation friendly series to be held in Jordan, when the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) announced a 23-member squad on Sunday.
The BFF retained nine players, who rebelled against women’s team head Peter Butler but Sabina Khatun along with four others, who had led the protest and some other experienced booters were overlooked.
The nine rebel footballers who were included in the squad are – Rupna Chakma, Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr, Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Ritu Porna Chakma, Tahura Khatun, Shamsunnahar Jr and Mosammat Sagorika.
However, the English coach left out Sabina and four other SAFF Championship winners in Masura Parvin, Matsushima Sumaya, Krishna Rani and Sanjida Akter, from the Jordan-bound squad.
The English coach Butler, when explained the reason of ignoring the five players, said, “I had to consider so many thinks before forming the squad. I had to give the importance of players’ fitness, discipline issues and have to look forward for future development of the team.”
Mahfuza Akhter Kiron, the chairman of eh women’s wing of the BFF, replying to a query about ingnoring Sabina and five other experienced players said, “Actually, coach is all in all. We can’t interfere on his decision about selecting players.”
A 30-member Bangladesh contingent including 23 booters and seven members of the coaching staff, were scheduled to leave for Jordan today morning.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh women’s team will play their first match against hosts Jordan on May 31 and Indonesia on June 3.
The BFF detailed all in a press conference on Sunday at the BFF Bhaban Motijheel.
This series is part of the women’s team preparation ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Bangladesh have been slotted in Group C and will face Myanmar, Bahrain and Turkmenistan in the qualifiers, which will run from June 23 to July 5.
Bangladesh squad
GK: Rupna Chakma, Meghla Rani, Ferdousi Akter, DF: Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr, Afeida Khandaker, Joynab Bibi, MF: Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Munki Akter, Shopna Rani, Kohati Kisku, Halima Akter, Shanti Mardi, FW: Ritu Porna Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Shamsunnahar Jr, Mosammat Sagorika, Shaheda Akter, Surobhi Akond, Mosammat Sultana, Nobirun Khatun and Umela Marma.
