The public outcry over the departure of Italy-based Bangladeshi footballer Fahamedul Islam from the national team carried over to the second day with the sports adviser Asif Mahmud and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal having to weigh in on the issue today.

The adviser and the BFF honcho sat down with Bangladesh football's newest and biggest acquisition Hamza Chowdhury today in the capital at 2:30 pm but even there the issue of Fahamedul getting sent back to Italy after spending a week with the team in the Saudi Arabia camp and speculations of a syndicate having a hand in his departure came up.

After a discussion on the matter, the BFF president, who also spoke with members of Bangladesh football supporters' group who have brought out processions in protest of Fahamedul's departure, reiterated that there was no syndicate pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

"There is no scope for creating a syndicate in the football federation. Everyone will get a place on the basis of merit, if we get any such hints, the federation will take steps," Tabith was quoted as saying in a youth and sports ministry press release.

"There is no crisis, we have not left out Fahamedul. He is talented, but we want to give him more time. The Bangladesh team has matches coming up in June at home, maybe we will see him on the field very soon. All I want to say to the supporters is that there is no need to be disappointed," he added.

Sports adviser Asif urged the BFF to ensure fairness in team selection, saying, "For the sake of the country, there is no scope for denying a deserving player. The BFF has to be alert to ensure no one falls victim to nepotism or syndicates in player selection. Upon receiving proof of any such corruption, the government will take steps against those responsible."

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera, who had said that 18-year-old Fahamedul needed more time, stood firm in his stance today in front of the media and again clarified the reasoning behind his departure.

"I knew him [Fahamedul] very well before calling him. When he arrived, he had been with us for one week and had the chance to train with the national team and we were able to meet him and know him better. But the conclusion I made is he still needs more time and that's all."