Dhaka – Claiming that injustice was done to them denying them a spot in the final of the JFA Under-14 National Women’s Football Championship although they won the semifinal, Thakurgaon District Football Association (DFA) on Wednesday demanded that the final is arranged again.
It also demanded meting put punishment to other teams who did the same offence like them.The demand was made from a rally organised in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital protesting the decision of the Bangladesh Football Federation depriving them of the final spot.
Admitting to violating the bylaws of the tournament, Manager of Thakurgaon team Tajul Islam said, “We acknowledge our fault, but the committee didn’t give us any scope for self-defence. They didn’t call us to listen to our version. Kiron Apa (BFF women’s wing chairman Mahfuza Akhter Kiron) has no right to do this to us just before the final.”
Thakurgaon defeated Mymensingh by 1(3) -1(2) in the semifinal of the meet but could not play the final as Mymensingh complained to the disciplinary committee that Thakurgaon team fielded four players who played in the last two editions.
According to the bylaws, no player is allowed to play more than two editions of the championship, and the committee allowed Mymensingh to play the final against Rangpur on July 19, denying Thakurgaon.
Four players — Momtaz, Esrat Jahan Esita, Chandana Rani and Ranjana Rani — were in the Thakurgaon team in the last two seasons before the 2019 edition of the championship.
Thakurgaon DFA member and DSA secretary Masudur Rahman Babu said, “Rangpur goalkeeper Mauri has been playing in the tournament since 2016. We complained about her, but they didn’t take any action against her. This is BFF’s one-sided mentality. We’re now thinking lodging a case over the issue.”
He also claimed that there are other players – Joynob, Nasrin and Rumi – of Rangpur who played more than two times.
Tajul and Babu claimed that their players were manhandled by police and BFF men and the players were locked in a room for one hour during the final game.
However, Kiron dismissed all the allegations and told reporters on Wednesday that everybody witnessed what happened on that day. “They’re telling lies and the committee took action as per the rules.”
Rangpur district emerged champions beating Mymensingh by 0(4)-0(2) goals in tiebreaker in the final.UNB
