Russel lambasts BFF for depriving SAFF champions

The Kazi Salahuddin-led Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) continues to receive backlash from different quarters for their failure in sending the national women's team to the Paris Olympics women's qualifiers, and the latest attack came from Zahid Ahsan Russel, the state minister for Youth and Sports. 

"I think they [BFF] intentionally didn't send the women's team to the [Olympics] qualifiers … and [as a result] had tarnished the country's image," Russel told the reporters after the National Sports Council (NSC) executive meeting at the NSC conference room yesterday.

"We need to look into the matter … and the Prime Minister will be made aware of it. The fact that a small amount of money prevented the women from taking part in the event, there is something behind it for sure," added Russel, who recently returned home after having undergone treatment aboard.

Earlier on March 29, BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag informed that the women's team were pulled out of the Olympics qualifiers in Myanmar due to financial constraints, especially after failing to get the necessary response in time from the Youth and Sports ministry.

Russel termed the BFF general secretary's blame on the ministry as "audacious."

"I think they [BFF] intentionally didn't send the women's team to the [Olympics] qualifiers … and [as a result] had tarnished the country's image," Russel told the reporters after the National Sports Council (NSC) executive meeting at the NSC conference room yesterday.

— Zahid Ahsan Russel State minister for Youth and Sports

"Neither the BFF president nor the vice-president could say anything, and instead an employee of the federation had blamed the government … it's audacious … and not acceptable at all."

The state minister for Youth and Sports continued, "We received their letter [asking for financial assistance] on the 27th [March] and instantly we had forwarded it to the finance ministry. However, the BFF announced their decision on the 29th.

"As a result, we were not able to do anything for our women footballers who had brought laurels for the nation. This does not get any more painful for us."