New Delhi, August 30: Ahead of India’s title clash against Syria in the Nehru Cup football Monday, skipper Bhaichung Bhutia was clearly upset with All India Football Federation (AIFF) after being summoned for a meeting Sunday morning to resolve the ongoing tussle with his club Mohun Bagan.
“Tomorrow I will be playing an important match to defend the Nehru Cup title and today morning I was called for a meeting. You can realize how difficult it becomes for a player (to perform) under these circumstances,” Bhtuia told reporters after the team’s practice session.
Chief coach Bob Houghton, too, supported Bhutia on the issue and said it does not leave a player in the right frame of mind before an important match.
“It doesn’t make any sense. Tomorrow we are playing a final and I don’t find any logic behind the meeting on the eve of the match. It was nonsensical,” he said.
Bhutia has been suspended for six months by the Kolkata club for missing an exhibition match and some of the team’s practice sessions.
Bhutia had applied to the AIFF players status committee to find a solution. But AIFF president Praful Patel has asked general secretary Alberto Colaco to resolve the issue.
Mohun Bagan secretary Anjan Mitra said that Bhutia’s suspension would be lifted if the player apologizes unconditionally.
—IANS