Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler criticised comments from Bangladesh Football Federation Women wing Chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron on Thursday, calling them “complete nonsense” during a press conference in Australia ahead of Bangladesh’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup clash with North Korea, days after the team faced China in Sydney.
Bangladesh impressed many observers in their tournament debut against China, the defending champions and nine-time winners of the competition. The side conceded twice in the first half but shut the door after the break and refused to collapse.
That effort earned praise across Bangladesh. Yet comments from Mahfuza Akter Kiron sparked controversy after she suggested China looked ageing and out of form.
“China have many older players. At times they just stood still. They are off form and lack sharpness,” she said. “I have watched China before, but after seeing this match I felt speechless. Bangladesh’s real test will come against North Korea.”
Those words travelled quickly across the football camp in Australia. Butler did not dodge the issue when reporters raised it before the next match.
“Like Miss Kiron said, we have a plan,” Butler replied early in the press conference, a line that carried a hint of sarcasm. When journalists pressed him further, the coach dropped the diplomacy.
“The comment from a member of the federation about the Chinese team is disrespectful and completely wrong,” Butler said. “You must respect the opponent. They are a strong team.”
The British coach went further and used domestic club comparisons to underline the gap in quality.
“They don’t play for Nasrin here in Bangladesh,” he said. “The players in that Chinese team are not from Farashganj. They play in China and some of them play in the French league for PSG.”
That point cut straight to the heart of Butler’s argument. China remain one of Asia’s heavyweights and a regular presence on the global stage.
Butler also questioned the judgement behind the remarks. “I think it is quite disrespectful and a bit irresponsible,” he said. “But I expected it.”
The exchange exposed a rare public disagreement inside the Bangladesh football structure. Coaches usually dodge federation politics, but Butler rarely hides his thoughts.
