All 18 Bangladesh Women's team footballers who had revolted against head coach Peter Butler have recently been brought under the central contract of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

The rebel footballers, who included senior footballers like Sabina Khatun, Sanjida Akter and Maria Manda, have signed a six-month contract, raising the number of contracted players under the local game's governing body from 36 to 54.

"All of the remaining 18 players have signed contracts with BFF last week for a sixth-month period, effective from the day they signed the contracts," BFF women's wing chairman and executive member Mahfuza Akter Kiron told The Daily Star on Monday.

Of the 18 new signings, eight are currently training in Butler's ongoing national camp, while 10 players, including Sabina, Maria, Monika Chakma, Masura Parvin, Krishna Rani Sarkar, Ritu Porna Chakma are in Bhutan for the Bhutan's Women's National League.

"We sent contract papers to the 10 players who are in Bhutan through online, and they sent it back after signing it," said Kiron.

It has been learnt from a BFF source that the 18 players have been divided into four salary categories. Under Category A, 12 players will receive a monthly salary of Tk 55,000; under Category B, one player will receive a monthly salary of Tk 40,000; under Category C, one player will receive a monthly salary of Tk 30,000, and under Category D, four players will receive a monthly salary of Tk 25,000. 

During the turmoil between a group of senior players and English coach Butler in January and February, the BFF offered new contracts to all 55 players who were in the training camp ahead of March's FIFA friendly matches against the UAE, subject to joining the training camp.

However, 18 players refused to sign the contracts, demanding the resignation of the head coach.

The crisis ended in late March with the protesting players agreeing to join the training under Butler after the Eid break. The majority of the players joined the camp on April 6, while four players –Sabina, Monika, Ritu Porna and Sumaiya left the country to play in the Bhutan Women's National League, and a few days later, six more players left the country to play in the Bhutanese league.

Bangladesh women's team are scheduled to play two FIFA friendlies against Jordan and Indonesia on May 31 and June 3.

Asked how the players who are in Bhutan will be assessed in the team selection process for the FIFA Friendlies, Kiron said, "It is the sole authority of the head coach who will evaluate the fitness, performance of the players before picking the squad for the friendly matches."