Salahuddin's remarks about journalists shocking: State minister

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Salahuddin's remarks about journalists are very offensive and tasteless, said State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel on Saturday.

The state minister said this after unveiling the logo of the Third Bangabandhu IHF Trophy Women's (youth and junior) at the Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in Dhaka.

He said, "It is thanks to the work of journalists that sports can reach the far corners of the country. Such comments about journalists, who do so much for us, have shocked me."

"Whether on the record or off the record, I don't think anyone should say such things even in their sleep. I am deeply hurt by these words from someone occupying such a position."

The comment involving parents of journalists was the most hurtful, the state minister added.

The BFF president insulted the journalists by saying that journalists should submit photos of their parents to the BFF in order to enter its headquarters, with their fathers' shoes visible in the image.

Salahuddin made these disparaging comments just before a press conference at the BFF, and the comments were recorded on a device that journalists had set up to record the press conference.

Following the public release of his comments on social media, Salahuddin faced widespread criticism from the public. He subsequently offered an apology to the journalists.