The Hindu : Sport / Football : Bhutia-East Bengal contract row

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Friday, Jul 22, 2005

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Bhutia-East Bengal contract row

KOLKATA: Alleging "indifference'' from East Bengal, India's ace striker Baichung Bhutia is contemplating severing his ties with the club in the new season. "They (East Bengal) first delayed the payment of the outstanding amount of my last year's contract and now they are asking me to provide fitness certificate before signing for the fresh season,'' Bhutia said on Thursday. Returning to the city early this week from his home in Namchi, Sikkim, after recovering from a liver ailment, Bhutia ran into the club officials over the payments issue. "I did not expect this shabby treatment from the club which I have served with all my earnestness for so many years,'' he said.

He would be looking to play in Malaysia, which will have a host of knock-out tournaments coming up.

The club version does not match the player's claim. "He did not have any discussion with the club management on the contract for the fresh season, so where is the question of asking him to show the fitness certificate,'' said Amit Sen, who is one of directors of the East Bengal Football Team private limited. Mr. Sen said that the team for the new season was almost complete and "we have given most of our players a two-year contract,'' he said.

Bhutia initially agreed to the general contents of draft of the contract and suggested some changes, to which the club "showed an open mind,'' he said. "Never did the club deny his payment, it was delayed because the All India Football Federation detained a payment from AFC which the club is supposed get as a subsidy for playing in the AFC Cup. But we arranged funds and have cleared all his dues now,'' he said adding that the club did not officially ask the player to show fitness certificate. The way he (Bhutia) is behaving is quite intriguing as the club is always willing to discuss the fresh season's contract with him,'' Mr. Sen said. — Sports Reporter

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