There has apparently been no resolution regarding the impasse between women's footballers and the team's head coach as six senior players are leaving to play in the Bhutan National Women's League on Sunday, a day prior to Peter Butler's return from England.

Sabina Khatun, Ritu Porna Chakma, Monika Chakma, Matsushima Sumaya, Masura Parvin and Rupna Chakma will leave for Bhutan on Sunday morning for the league, which is scheduled to begin on April 15.

The former four will play for Paro FC while the latter two have been roped in by Transport United. Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal, along with women's wing chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron and other members of the executive committee, sat for a meeting with the six players on Saturday.

BFF's media committee chairman Amirul Islam Babu told the media that it was a courtesy meeting with the players where the president wished them good luck. However, when asked whether there has been any decision made regarding the players' contract with the federation, the BFF spokesman did not give an answer.

He, however, hinted that the senior players will be called up ahead of the team's departure for the Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, which will be held from June 29-July 5 in Myanmar.

The 18 senior players boycotted training under Butler since he started camp on January 29, alleging him of disrespecting the players and driving a wedge among them. Subsequently the seniors, led by Sabina, were excluded from the squad for two friendly matches away to UAE in February-March. The federation brought 36 other players in the camp – mostly juniors – under contract, leaving the seniors out of the payroll.

The BFF high-ups, however, had said before the Eid break that all 50-plus players will be called up for camp and that the 18 senior players will sign contracts. However, with Butler scheduled to return on Monday and slated to start the camp thereafter, the departure of the six key players of the side only indicates that not much headway has been made in this regard.

Ritu Porna, the best player of last year's SAFF Women's Championship, told The Daily Star that there has been no discussion in the meeting regarding contracts.

"The federation has told us that it would call us up when there will be national engagement," Ritu Porna said, adding that she was looking to play all four months in the Bhutanese league.

"The president wished us well just like a guardian wishes well for their children," Ritu Porna said. "There hasn't been any discussion on our contract though."