U20 coach Jones says he was assaulted, denies reports of staff rift

Bangladesh Under-20 team head coach Gerard Jones on Monday night said he was the victim of an assault at work, hours after reports emerged of an altercation with assistant coach Atikur Rahman Mishu that led him to call police to the team hotel.

Jones posted a video on Facebook alongside a statement titled "Statement. For clarity and transparency," saying inaccurate information about the incident was circulating and had put him in danger.

"I am also aware of some inaccurate information being spread also that is simply not true and is damaging to the reputation of the country and also puts me in danger," Jones wrote.

Earlier on Monday, Dhaka Post and T Sports reported that Jones and Mishu had a heated argument at Hotel Holiday Inn in Dhaka last Wednesday that escalated into a scuffle, after which Jones called police via the 999 emergency line. Officers attended the hotel, though no major incident followed.

Reports also said Jones did not want Mishu to travel with the squad to Uzbekistan for the AFC U-20 qualifiers, which begin August 31, and that he had previously clashed with a Spanish goalkeeping coach Jose Martinez at the team's Jashore base.

Jones directly addressed those reports in his statement, denying any issue with his goalkeeping staff.

"I have no issue whatsoever with our goalkeeping coaches. José and Himel have been outstanding. We work closely together, both on and off the field, and our collaboration has been excellent," he wrote.

He said he had instead been assaulted at work and had documented the incident with independent witnesses.

"I was however, recently involved in a serious incident at work in which I sustained physical injuries from an assault, and had to defend myself," Jones wrote, adding he had shared evidence with the BFF, police and the British Embassy.

Jones said he had repeatedly raised concerns about his personal safety and asked for help, adding those concerns remained unresolved.

Jones took charge of the Under-20 team in a practice match against Fortis FC at the club's Beraid ground on Monday, ahead of the squad's departure for Uzbekistan on August 27.

Jones appealed for the focus to return to football ahead of the Uzbekistan trip.

"I do not want this situation to distract from what these young players are trying to achieve. Our focus must remain on football, on being positive and on staying united," he wrote.

He added that his family was frightened by the situation and that his children wanted reassurance he was safe.

The BFF has not issued a response to Jones' claims.

Earlier this month, the English coach had made headlines after claiming on social media that the BFF had not cleared his dues in time and that he was fearful for his safety.

The BFF said the delay was due to procedural issues in wiring funds to the UK. Jones later confirmed he had received his wages.