The Bangladesh Football Federation has apparently decided to move on from the rebellious 18 senior players, focusing on the younger ones for the upcoming UAE tour and central contracts.

The BFF president met with each of the 18 players on Thursday night following his return from UK, and tried to convince them to join training from Saturday.

However, the players have not budged from their demands of removing the head coach Peter Butler, refusing to join the camp till Sunday.

With hope for a resolution fading, the BFF is focusing on the 37 current players who are currently in training under Butler and preparing new contracts with a number of them, keeping the boycotting 18 out of it.

A total of 30 women footballers were under BFF's central contract in four salary categories, which ran out at the end of October last year. Out of those 30, only 12 are currently in BFF's training camp while the 25 others in training – mostly from age-group teams – are out of contracts.

While BFF women's wing chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron did not pick up The Daily Star's repeated calls, BFF's vice-president Fahad Karim gave valuable insight into the issue.

"The contracts will be finalised within Tuesday. I can't say the exact number of contracts to be offered, but the contracts will be for among those who are currently in training," Fahad told The Daily Star, adding, "The president had asked them to join training on Thursday and waited till Saturday. Since they have not joined, he said let's move on without them, football can't be stopped. If they join any time, they are welcome."

Bangladesh are scheduled to travel to UAE on February 24 to play two international friendly matches on February 26 and March 2. In all likelihood, the 23-member squad will be made out of the current 37 players, hinted the BFF vice-president.

"Time is running out (for the squad selection) and there is fitness issue too," Karim said, also refuting rumours that the 18 senior footballers might be sent on leave.