Human rights issues swirl around the Women's Asian Cup. They cannot be ignored | Samantha Lewis

"In an emotional media conference, captain Sabina Khatun stood in front of a tangle of microphones in an image reminiscent of Lydia Williams when the Matildas went on strike in 2015 to accuse Peter Butler of verbal abuse, body shaming, mental harassment, and inappropriate comments about their private lives. The players had raised their complaints privately months earlier, but with no resolution or action from the national federation, they collectively decided to front the media and share their experiences."

"The tournament's Dream Fearless branding has no room for the realities faced by the players who are the heart and soul of these tournaments, and whose stories deserve respect and recognition. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) does not want you to peek behind the curtain at the human rights issues being played out on the stage they created."

"An internal investigation by the federation cleared Butler of wrongdoing, claiming there had been a misunderstanding, while new contracts were offered to the boycotting players. Butler remains the head coach of the side, and Khatun, along with other senior players, were not selected for the Women's Asian Cup squad."

Eighteen senior Bangladesh women's national team players threatened retirement over alleged mistreatment by head coach Peter Butler, including verbal abuse, body shaming, and mental harassment. After private complaints went unaddressed, they publicly shared their experiences at a media conference. The national federation's internal investigation cleared Butler, offering new contracts instead of accountability. Butler retained his position while protesting players, including captain Sabina Khatun, were excluded from the Women's Asian Cup squad. The tournament's marketing campaign ignores these controversies and broader human rights issues affecting competing nations, obscuring the struggles players faced reaching the competition.

Read at www.theguardian.com