The High Court on Sunday issued a rule asking why the disparity in salaries and benefits between women footballers and their male counterparts in Bangladesh should not be declared illegal.
A High Court bench of Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Riazuddin Ahmed, issued the rule following the initial hearing of the writ.
The Sports Secretary, the National Football Federation authorities, and other concerned parties have been asked to respond within four weeks.
Barristers Sumaiya Binte Tanvir and Ariza Meheli Khan represented the petitioners in court, having filed the writ challenging the unequal treatment.
Barrister Sumaiya Binte Tanvir said that discrimination exists everywhere in football between men and women.
Male footballers earn Tk 50–60 lakh a year, while female footballers receive only Tk 6–7 lakh.
She added that female footballers do not even get regular salaries, housing facilities are lacking, and regular leagues are not organized for them.
“Male players receive Tk 5 lakh as match incentives, whereas female players are given only a token amount. After the SAFF victory, Tk 1.5 crore was announced as an incentive for the women’s team, but it has yet to be paid.”