Why special treatment for Bhutia? Bagan to AIFF

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan today wrote to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) alleging that India captain

Bhaichung Bhutia was being given "special treatment" in his ongoing suspension row with the Kolkata club. Bagan`s letter comes on a day when former Additional Solicitor General Amarendra Sharan, who was appointed by AIFF to resolve the deadlock, sits for a final hearing with both the parties in New Delhi. "Our executive committee yesterday arrived at a conclusion to send a letter to the AIFF. Why special treatment for Bhaichung? It seems Bhutia is an exception in Indian football," Mohun Bagan general secretary Anjan Mitra told PTI from New Delhi. Citing examples of Steven Dias and N P Pradeep who were targeted by East Bengal last season, Mitra said, "Cases concerning Dias and Pradeep were sorted out in due course of time. So as far as this case is concerned, why was it sent for arbitration?" Bhutia was suspended for six months without pay by Mohun Bagan in June for missing a few team training sessions and an exhibition match. The dispute is now pending before the AIFF-appointed arbitrator, Sharan. Bhutia had made an appeal to the IFA to resolve the dispute but AIFF took up the matter. The national body`s Players` Status Committee, however, failed to decide on the matter as the AIFF decided to refer the matter to an arbitrator. Bureau Report