The catalyst behind Mitchell’s actions is a recent managerial decision by Bangladesh national football team head coach Thomas Dooley. In the selection process for the main squad ahead of the upcoming tournament, Dooley opted not to grant Mitchell a direct place in the primary training camp. Instead, reports indicated that the midfielder would first have to undergo a trial to earn his spot in the final squad.

Addressing the situation during an interview with an online outlet, Dooley defended his policy of evaluating players firsthand before extending national team call-ups. The coach explained that he has not personally observed Mitchell on the pitch or evaluated his tactical playing style. He noted that the circumstance might have differed had the player been active in top-tier English football—such as the Premier League, the EFL Championship, or the first two divisions of the English Football League. Dooley maintained that assessing a player’s current form during selection trials is standard procedure for any national team manager before finalizing squad selections.

Beyond the trial mandate, tensions between the player and the management escalated over travel arrangements. Reports suggest that despite having previously represented the Bangladesh national team on the international stage, Mitchell was requested to travel from England to join the selection camp at his own expense. The requirement for a returning international to cover his own travel costs for a trial period created significant friction between both parties.

Mitchell, who developed his game through the youth academy at Sunderland AFC, recently signed for English lower-league side Stratford Town FC. Disappointed by the trial requirement and the dispute over travel expenses, the young midfielder responded by wiping all Bangladesh-related content from his social media page, highlighting a growing rift between overseas-based talent and national team management.