Bangladesh's football community has strongly condemned singer Asif Akbar, a newly elected director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), for his derogatory comments about football and its players.

In an event organised by the BCB on Sunday, Asif described football as a game "that starts with chaos," contrasting it with what he called cricket's "discipline and elite culture." He went on to allege that footballers "have terrible manners" and that football activities "occupy almost every district stadium," damaging wickets and restricting cricket across the country. Asif further warned that he would "fight back" if footballers showed aggression toward cricketers.

BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul, who once played professional football before becoming a national team cricketer, was seem smiling and clapping softly as Asif spoke.

However, the comments sparked outrage across the football community, who labelled his remarks as "disrespectful," "ignorant," and "divisive."

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) member Kamrul Hasan Hilton raised a question on Facebook, saying: "A true sports organiser unites the nation through sports. The remarks made by BCB director Asif Akbar will only divide the sporting community. If cricket is considered an elite game, does that make football a game of a lower class?! I strongly condemn such comments."

Former national football team coach Maruful Haque expressed his deep disappointment, saying: "I strongly condemn and protest such a senseless remark. If someone wants to make us direct opponents, we are ready to be opponents too," Maruful wrote on his verified social media account.

National team defender Shakil Ahad Topu also reacted strongly, calling the comments "unacceptable," and asked for an apology.

"As a responsible person, I strongly condemn and denounce such remarks about football and footballers. Cricket, football, hockey – all sports belong to us. No sport should be looked down upon. However, Asif Akbar's comments are unacceptable. He must apologise for them.

I would also like to ask him – which footballer has ever behaved badly with him?," Topu's social media post read.

Coach Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu wrote, "In this country, people are sitting in positions where they don't belong. The language needs to be fixed."

Another former national team goalkeeper, Biplob Bhattacharjee, wrote directly, "Asif Akbar should apologise to all the footballers in the country."

 

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