Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan has publicly criticised teammates Saad Uddin and Sohel Rana Jr after a photograph, said to show the pair at a nightclub following the 9-2 FIFA ASEAN Cup defeat to Indonesia on October 1, went viral across social media.

Asked by a media outlet about the controversy, the 36-year-old midfielder was blunt.

“They really should not have done that. It was an unprofessional thing to do. We had just lost a match, and then we heard that they had gone there,” he said.

Jamal added that the episode had hurt the squad and confirmed that team management would now speak to both players. Saad and Sohel have denied the allegation, maintaining the photograph is old and was not taken after the Indonesia match.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque reacted with fury, threatening to cut the duo’s sports card allowances if the allegation is proven.

“The football result was already very poor. On top of that, there is this allegation. I am very disappointed,” he said.

The inquiry will go beyond the two players. “Where was their management? Who was responsible? Those who went to the nightclub will definitely face disciplinary action,” the minister said.

Bangladesh Football Federation vice president Fahad Karim said the matter has not yet reached the board, which will meet to discuss it soon. “Personally, I think that if they did this, it is not right,” he said.

Karim admitted he does not know every camp rule, but said players would certainly not be allowed out at night, so a prescribed punishment must follow.

“Strong action should be taken, in line with the disciplinary rules,” he said.

“Most importantly, something should be done to ensure that this does not happen again in the future,” he added.