The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has officially written to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul, demanding a public explanation after BCB director and popular musician Asif Akbar made disparaging remarks about football during the Bangladesh Cricket Conference recently.
In the letter, BFF President Tabith Awal condemned the statement as "insulting, derogatory and deeply concerning," stressing that such behaviour undermines the spirit of unity that sport should uphold.
Tabith wrote, "We consider your election as BCB President a matter of pride. However, I wish to draw your attention to the comments made during the conference that demeaned football and disappointed the entire sporting fraternity. This letter should be regarded as our formal objection."
The BFF president further expressed disappointment that the incident took place at a platform celebrating national sport, adding, "It is unfortunate and alarming that such a mindset was expressed at an official cricket forum. Sports are meant to unite the nation, not divide it. We request an official and public explanation regarding this regrettable episode."
The letter followed widespread public backlash and strong reactions on social media after video clips of Asif Akbar's remarks went viral. Footballers, fans, and officials described the comments as "demeaning" and "unnecessary," urging the BCB to uphold mutual respect between the country's leading sports.
Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Football Players Welfare Association also joined the protest, with its President Iqbal Hossain demanding that the BCB take immediate disciplinary action. There, the former booters asked Asif to apologise to the nation and withdraw the comment.
The controversy has reignited a broader conversation about mutual respect between Bangladesh's major sporting disciplines, cricket and football. Now, the BFF's official correspondence makes clear that it expects a formal response from the BCB president in the coming days.
