Mohammedan Sporting Club on Wednesday withdrew their complaint against four players – Zahid Hossain, Mamun Miah, Nahidul Islam and Shakil Ahmed after receiving assurance from Sheikh Russell KC that Zahid and Nahid will feature for the former in the upcoming football season. Sheikh Russell on the other hand will have Mamun and Shakil available in their squad.
The quartet, who were earlier accused for receiving advance money from Mohammedan before switching allegiance to Sheikh Russell, have now avoided potential punishment.
Mohammedan sent the withdraw letter to the Bangladesh Football Federation after negotiating with the top officials of Sheikh Russell.
The player status committee, who were tasked with the responsibility of resolving the issue, will not deliver any decision now.
In order to avoid suspension of the accused players, Sheikh Russell agreed to let two players join Mohammedan.
‘We [organisers] are the parents of the players, so we don’t want one of them to be punished. Considering the greater interest of football we agreed to strike a mutual understanding with Mohammedan,’ said Nurul Alam Chowdhury, president of Sheikh Russell on Wednesday.
‘We agreed to give Zahid and Nahid to Mohammedan and we will soon make a deal with Mamun and Shakil,’ he said.
However, Sheikh Russell coach Maruful Haque strongly protested the clubs’ choice of mutual understanding and expressed his disappointment with the decision.
‘It was injustice. Either they [players] will play for us otherwise they will play for Mohammedan. I don’t support the division between the players,’ said a dejected Maruf.
‘BFF took this controversial decision to give extra benefit to one title-contender club,’ added Maruf indirectly referring to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.
Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, member in charge of administration of Mohammedan said that he was content with the mutual understanding.
‘We considered the greater interest of the players after making the mutual understanding with Sheikh Russell,’ said Lokman.
Meanwhile, the four footballers were discontented with the decision and stated that none of them wanted to leave Sheikh Russell.
‘I desperately yearned to play for Sheikh Russell but in order to avoid punishment we have to accept the decision,’ said one of the players seeking anonymity.
-With New Age input
