Bangladesh women’s national football team member Matsushima Sumaiya has revealed that she has received rape and death threats. She shared this shocking news through a post on social media, linking it to the ongoing controversy surrounding women’s team coach Peter Butler.
The Bangladesh football scene has been in turmoil over head coach Peter Butler, with female players demanding his resignation due to conflicts within the team. Sumaiya, one of the players supporting the protest, helped draft and translate a statement in English against Butler. Following this, she has now spoken out about the threats she has been receiving.
In a Facebook post, Sumaiya expressed her frustration, saying, “My name is Matsushima Sumaiya. I am a player for the Bangladesh women’s national football team. My journey from being an English medium school student to playing football, winning a league in the Maldives, and becoming a SAFF Women’s Football Champion in 2024 has been bittersweet.”
She continued, “I chose this path to inspire young students whose parents want them to focus only on academics. I wanted to show that passion and determination can break barriers. But today, I feel regretful, thinking that I sacrificed my education, family, and Eid celebrations to serve a country that does not appreciate us.”
Liberty News’ sports correspondent states that Sumaiya further revealed the mental toll of her experiences, stating, “I fought with my parents to play football, believing my country would stand by me. But the reality is different. No one truly cares about an athlete’s mental health. For simply having the basic ability to write an English letter about the situation my team and I have endured, I have received countless death and rape threats over the past few days. These words have shattered me in ways I never imagined. I don’t know how long it will take to recover from this trauma. But I hope no one has to go through such pain to fulfill their dreams.”
LND/BAIZID
