Mohun Bagan-Bhaichung Bhutia row drags on

New Delhi: Mohun Bagan and Bhaichung Bhutia have been involved in a battle which has stretched far too long for anyone’s comfort.

The trouble began when the club issued a show caused to the Sikkimese Sniper and distributed copies of the same to the scribes. Bhaichung responded by asking for a release and later, signed for East Bengal.

Now that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had appointed an arbitrator, Amarendra Sharan to look into the matter, the concerned parties were asked to settle the matter amicably last Sunday by the legal head.

Mohun Bagan agreed but added that Bhaichung would have to play for their club, which the player refused to accept as his commitment was put into question earlier by the Green and Maroons.

"Bhaichung stated that playing for Mohun Bagan again is out of question after his skill and integrity were doubted by the club," said Bhaichung’s legal counsel, Ushanath Banerjee.

Goal.com had earlier mentioned that the Indian FA hadn’t followed the rules mentioned in their Constitution by appointing an arbitrator in the Bhaichung Bhutia case, which apparently, the Mariners have begun to use as their line of dialogue.

"They (Mohun Bagan) began to question the validity of the arbitration and the matter was argued for over two and a half hours," informed Banerjee.

Amarendra Sharan has called for another meeting later in the evening on Thursday to hear the Indian skipper’s plea for interim relief.

"There will be a hearing on my client being allowed to play for the time being. We are hopeful that the decision shall come in favour of Bhaichung," added Banerjee.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan are in no mood to let Bhaichung don the colours of Red and Gold’s as they stated that they shall not let that happen.

"Let us see what happens as Bhaichung has been suspended by Mohun Bagan on disciplinary grounds. He remains our player," said Mohun Bagan official, Debashish Dutta.

The case remains unresolved for now and the sole reason for the delay has been the improper handling of the issue by the Indian FA.