Saff Debacle Probe
Committee wraps up interviews
Badal Roy, convener of the Bangladesh Football Federation fact-finding committee investigating the national team’s failure at the SAFF Championship, hinted on Monday that they would suggest strong action if anyone was found to be underperforming.
The committee, formed by the BFF after Bangladesh crashed out of the SAFF Championship earlier this month having finished last in their group, interviewed 30 people associated with the national team in various capacities.
‘We have finished interviewing all the concerned personnel and now we will make our recommendations. The report might take two or three days to come out,’ Roy said at the BFF house on Monday.
On the last day of interviews, the committee met with striker Shakhawat Hossain Rony, who had been accused of hiding injuries going into the tournament.
‘We asked about the allegation raised against Rony, but he disagreed and told us that he was fit when the team left Dhaka for Kathmandu before the tournament,’ said Roy.
Rony also proclaimed his innocence after facing the committee, telling reporters that he had been given too little time to warm up before the India match and that could be the reason behind his injury.
‘I did not carry any injuries going into the tournament, as the fitness trainer had certified me as fit,’ said Rony, who picked up an injury during the first match against Nepal as a substitute.
‘I was told to get to the field by the coach just before he sent me in. I just had one and a half minutes of warm-up, which was not enough, I thought. I made a long stretch to get a ball towards the end of the match, which pulled my groin muscle,’ said Rony.
Meanwhile, Zahid Hossain, who was criticised for his effort during the matches, failed to give his views to the committee, which upset Roy.
‘Zahid arrived after our session had ended, which is why we did not take his interview. He was also absent on the previous day. These things, along with his questionable behaviour during the tournament, will certainly be in our recommendations,’ said Roy.
Zahid, however, defended himself, claiming he had to play differently than his usual style and was under mental pressure to perform well.
‘The way the coach made me play was not my usual style. I am not used to playing such pressing football and I discussed that with the coach too,’ said Zahid, who played just the first half against Nepal and Pakistan, and was benched in the match against India.
‘I took advance money from two different clubs and the issue had not been resolved, which kept me under mental pressure,’ said Zahid, who had taken token money from Mohammedan SC but later agreed to stay at Sheikh Russell KC.
-With New Age input
