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The rebellion of women booters ends 

Published : Monday, 17 February, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 434
Muhammad Mahtabuddin
The weeks-long rebellion by 18 women footballers of the Bangladesh Women's Football Team had come to an end on Sunday following a meeting between BFF Women's Wing Chair Mahfuza Akhter Kiron and the rebel at the BFF House in Motijheel.

The meeting was the last scope for the women to return to the training and stay in the camp. They were given quite a few chances with that.

It was becoming clear, however, that the women would abandon their earlier position as rebels and resume the training sessions. The majority of them actually started going to the gym a few days ago as a way to recuperate from weeks of conflict between the football players and the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). Only they were hesitant to begin regular practice under coach Butler. Perhaps their pride prevented them from doing so.

The Federation made it quite evident that no one would be spared due to the belligerent mindset.

On Sunday, after the meeting, the BFF Women's Wing Chair said, "Regular discussion was going on with the footballers. Now, I can say that they are returning to training."

Although she said some issues were yet to be solved in future discussion, it can be said that the rebellion is done for now.

But she informed the media that those booters would not join training immediately and in that stead they would join training next month.

As these women were not in regular practice, they were no good for the immediate assignment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They are not going to be in the squad for the UAE assignment with a few days at hand.

The to be announced team will leave for the UAE on 24 February. The FIFA international friendly match against the Arab team is scheduled on 26 February and an unofficial match on 2 March.

The camp will be off until then. So, the much-talked about booters will have no task at hand. They will be on leave and will return with a fresh mind.

For a few weeks, these booters were not showing up to practice sessions led by Women's head coach Peter James Butler. At the time, some 18 senior booters erupted against the coach, demanding that he be removed immediately. They also stated that they would choose to retire rather than practise under Butler.

Nevertheless, the seven-member special committee that was established to investigate, gather information, and offer a solution rejected the accusations made against the coach and recommended that the rebels be punished. To maintain discipline and professionalism, the committee made the point that such a defiant mindset should not go unpunished.

Even then, the BFF wished to take a gentler approach and protect the booters, particularly since the senior women's football players had brought glory and two champion trophies to the country. Hence, no punishment was there for the booters.

While this was going on, the coach continued to practise with junior teams and young players, having in mind the next matches against the United Arab Emirates.

In the meantime, the BFF signed a central contract with 37 footballers who were practicing under the coach. The 18 defiant footballers did not join the practice session or signed the contract. Still, the Federation was waiting for the remaining women to change their mind and join the training and sign the contract.



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