Coaches scuffle, Gerard Jones calls police by phoning 999

Gerard Jones, head coach of the Bangladesh under-20 national football team, and Atikur Rahman Mishu, assistant coach, have taken their dispute to the point of pushing and shoving. At one stage of the heated situation between the two at a team hotel in Dhaka, English coach Gerard Jones called the police by phoning the national emergency service number 999.

The under-20 qualifiers of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will start in Uzbekistan on August 31. Bangladesh’s target is to secure a place in the main round of the Youth Asia Cup. For this the team is scheduled to leave the country on August 27. The dispute in the coaching staff before this important tour has created fresh unease.

According to information from multiple persons associated with the team, an argument took place between Gerard Jones and Atikur Rahman Mishu at Hotel Holiday Inn in Dhaka last Wednesday. At one stage pushing and shoving started between the two. Later Gerard Jones phoned the 999 number and called the police. Although the police went to the hotel, no major unpleasant incident ultimately occurred.

After the incident the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is also embarrassed over the matter. Apprehension has been created that lack of coordination among the coaching staff may have a negative impact on the team’s preparation and the players.

Samid Kashem, team manager and member of BFF’s development committee, said the development committee is working on the matter. Expressing hope of reaching a solution quickly he said their goal is to bring success for the country by ensuring the highest facilities for the footballers.

Discussion has also taken place earlier over the behaviour of Gerard Jones. A few days ago he came into discussion by posting on social media about a salary-related matter. There he had also informed about the hardship of the family and concern over his own life. It is learnt that dissatisfaction had also been created over his behaviour with the concerned persons of BFF.

An official of BFF unwilling to be named said there have been some problems with Gerard Jones from before. However, the assistant coach should also have maintained some distance with him. At the same time there is also question over the coach’s decision to phone the police. BFF is working on the matter.