In an alarming turn of events, Matsushima Sumaiya, a key player in Bangladesh's victorious 2024 SAFF Women's Championship team, has revealed she has been receiving threats of rape and murder. The threats come amidst a growing conflict between British coach Peter Butler and several senior female players.
Sumaiya, who is of Japanese descent, shared her distress on her verified Facebook page on Tuesday, February 4. She described the painful experiences that have marked her football career, from her early days in school competitions to her triumphs in the Maldives league and with the Bangladesh national team.
In her post, she expressed the bittersweet nature of her journey: "Assalamu Alaikum. I am Matsushima Sumaiya, a player of the Bangladesh Women's National Football Team. My experiences, from playing in inter-school matches as a student of English medium to winning the league in the Maldives and the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship for Bangladesh, have been bittersweet for me."
Sumaiya went on to reflect on her decision to pursue football: "When I chose this path, my dream was to inspire young students whose parents only wanted them to focus on their studies. I wanted to show that passion and determination can break any obstacle. But today, I regret saying—my education, family, Eid—everything has been dedicated to a country that doesn’t appreciate our struggles."
The controversy began after a series of allegations made by female players against Coach Peter Butler, who they accused of favoring younger players over more experienced team members during the SAFF Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal, last October. In response, several senior players, including Sumaiya, expressed their unwillingness to continue training under Butler. Despite these concerns, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) renewed Butler's contract.
As tensions grew, Sumaiya and other players sent a formal letter to the BFF President, Tabith Awal, outlining their grievances. Sources suggest that Sumaiya was involved in drafting the letter in English. In the days following its release, she began receiving a flood of violent threats, including rape and death threats.
In her post, Sumaiya shared the emotional toll of the situation: "For the past few days, I have received countless death and rape threats—words that have broken me in ways I never imagined. I don't know how long it will take to recover from this emotional injury. But what I do know is, no one should have to go through such a situation just to fulfil their dreams."
This ongoing conflict has deeply affected the morale of the team, and it remains to be seen how the BFF and the players will resolve their differences. Sumaiya's brave stand highlights the vulnerability of female athletes, who often face not only professional challenges but also personal threats for speaking out.
