National football captain Hassan Al Mamun yesterday accused a national daily of damaging his image by misquoting him earlier this week.
The newspaper quoted Hassan saying: "Our football is a hostage to the clubs. The government doesn't care much about sports. The people who are responsible for football's demise should be jailed."
Hassan's words published by the newspaper led the eight professional clubs of Dhaka sign a joint statement announcing that none of these clubs will sign the Muktijoddha Sangsad fullback for the coming season because Hassan's remarks are humiliating for the clubs.
Talking to the Daily Star last night, Hassan said he was surprised for being misquoted.
"I never said such things because I still believe that the clubs are our real guardians," Hassan told.
"What I actually said was that the last time most of the footballers received payment was in 2005 for the B. League. For the past three years, we have been living miserably. This is like violation of human rights. Who will give a solution to this type of crime?
"I was also surprised to see that not a single club official even bothered to call me and check the news.
No senior player could comment like this. I have also issued a rejoinder to the paper but they did not publish it properly," said a frustrated Hassan.
"They could have given me a chance to defend and my club have all the rights to show-cause me. But they didn't. In fact, the person who signed for Muktijoddha in the joint statement is unknown to me.
"It has damaged my image but I believe that once the clubs realise what really happened, they will change their views," hoped the veteran national footballer.