Sabinas end rebellion after talks with Kiran

The ongoing standoff between Sabina Khatun, captain of the Bangladesh national women’s football team, and 17 other players and head coach Peter James Butler has been resolved.

Sabina and 17 other footballers have withdrawn their rebellion following discussions with Mahfuza Akhter Kiran, chairperson of the women’s wing of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), on Sunday.  

Earlier, Sabina had refused to join training under Coach Butler, leading to her and 18 other players missing the team’s camp, which began on January 15 in preparation for the Asia Cup qualifiers and a tour to the United Arab Emirates.  

In response, the BFF signed contracts with 37 footballers, excluding the 18 rebels. However, the federation left the door open for Sabina’s return, stating that she would be offered a contract only after re-joining training.