Bagan may go to Fifa: Bhutia joins EB practice

Bhaichung Bhutia is yet to get the release order from Mohun Bagan, but on Wednesday, the Indian captain donned the East Bengal shirt and joined team practice at the club ground. According to East Bengal club’s football secretary, Santosh Bhattacharya, Bhutia has been granted permission by the AIFF-appointed arbitrator Amarendra Sharan to practise with them.

“The arbitrator has given him the go-ahead to practise with any club of his choice to keep himself fit till his row with Mohun Bagan is resolved,” Bhattacharya said.

Bagan, however, have decided to move Fifa if the arbitrator decides in favour of Bhutia. “If we are aggrieved at the decision taken by the arbitrator, we will approach Fifa. We have been maintaining that this is not an arbitration matter, but the AIFF is giving Bhutia special favour,” Mitra told The Indian Express.

Asked about Bhutia’s practice session with East Bengal, he said: “We won’t comment on that but we have been keeping a close watch on every development. Players’ contracts should follow Fifa guidelines and that’s why we have thought of approaching the world body on this issue,” he said.