Rebel women footballers set to return to training

The 18 senior women footballers of the Bangladesh national team, who have been boycotting head coach Peter Butler's training camp since January 29, will return to training after a break, informed Bangladesh Football Federation's women's wing chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron.

At a press briefing at the BFF House on Sunday afternoon, Kiron told reporters: We had been in continuous negotiation with them. I sat with them today too. What I can say following today's discussions is that the girls will return to training. They will, however, not be joining training immediately."

Kiron, also an member of Asian Football Confederation, said that a team without these 18 players will leave for UAE for two friendly matches on February 24 and the camp will be closed the same day, which will allow the senior players to go for a break. Once the camp reopens, all of them will join training and sign contracts after further discussions.

"You know our team (without the 18 seniors) will leave for UAE for two friendly matches. So our camp will be closed on February 24. The girls also want a break," Kiron said. "They will return to camp (once it resumes) and then start training. Once they return to camp, we, the women's wing, higher authorities, coaches and team management, will sit with them and resolve the misunderstandings. The girls have told me that they will return to training and sign contracts. This is a positive thing for us as we understand that the girls have realised their mistakes and the misunderstandings."

The former FIFA member said that the nitty-gritties of the contracts and the future relationship with the coach, especially regarding the coach's objections, have not been discussed.