The final hearing in the Mohun Bagan-Bhaichung Bhutia tussle isn’t any way near but the player has been given interim relief to play for the club of his choice...
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed arbitrator, Amarendra Sharan passed an interim judgement to the two parties stating that the player could play while the final decision in the case is yet to come.
“I have submitted by interim judgment to the two parties today,” informed Sharan to Goal.com.
Bhaichung’s legal counsel, Ushanath Bannerjee, who is on a vacation, stated that the only decision in the case would have been in his client’s favor.
“The only verdict could have been in our favour in this case,” said Ganguly.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan have been irked by the interim judgement have directly questioned the basis of any such ruling.
“There is no question of interim relief in Indian football. The arbitrator mentioned that the final order will be taken but in the meantime, Bhaichung has been granted interim relief.
“A player can play only for one particular club in a particular season, according to the rules of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). When the final verdict comes, and supposing it’s in our favour, what do we do in that scenario?
“The final order may change the status of the interim judgement. So what do we do in that case?” questioned a miffed Mohun Bagan general secretary, Anjan Mitra.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Sunday 27 September 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.