EB trains guns on arch-rivals over Bhaichung impasse

“East Bengal has had no reason to mingle or no desire to mingle with the (AIFF-appointed) arbitrator or any official of the AIFF regarding the Bhaichung imbroglio. He is being allowed to practise with our team,at his request,solely to keep himself fit,so that football is not robbed from his feet,” he added. According to him,any player is welcome to practise with East Bengal players. “If tomorrow Jose Barreto says he wants to practise with us,we won’t say no.”

Citing Snehashis Chakraborty’s example,he said: “The same club (read: Mohun Bagan) has allowed the player to don the Mohun Bagan jersey as a regular member of their team much before any verdict was given by the Indian Football Association (IFA).” East Bengal and Mohun Bagan were on a collision course over recruiting Chakraborty who played for Chirag United last season. The IFA,however,declared Chakraborty a free player and allowed him to sign for the green-and-maroons.

Majumder,however,denied that they were on the warpath with Bagan. “Our war is only in the football ground,not outside it,” he explained while admitting that there is no official agreement yet between East Bengal and Bhutia. “How can we enter into an agreement with someone who is yet to be declared a free player by the Federation? What we have is just an understanding.”

Interestingly,Bhutia is practising with East Bengal wearing the red-and-gold jersey and flashing the club logo. Asked about this,senior club official Debabrata Sarkar told The Indian Express: “There is nothing wrong in it. He has spent most of his career with our club. So,he is entitled to wear the East Bengal jersey during practice.”

The club secretary,however,sounded a little iffy about Bhutia’s chances to play in the

I-League right from the beginning. “There is still a week to go before the start of the

I-League. We are hopeful that we will get him right from the start,” he said. The I-League starts from October 1,while East Bengal play their first match against Pune FC on October 3. The deadline for registration of the players for the first match is 48 hours before the start of the game.

It is learnt that the decision on the Bhutia issue,which was expected on Saturday,can now get delayed due to recent developments. Majumder said that the club will back the Sikkimese Sniper should the arbitrator’s decision go against him. “If he seeks our help we will be happy to extend our support.”

Meanwhile,East Bengal is unlikely to get Yusif Yakubu as the Ghanaian striker’s lingering visa problem is yet to be sorted out. But the club is all set to strike a deal with Andorra’s national team captain Oscar Sonejee under PIO (Players of Indian Origin) quota. The club is also in talks with South African striker Abel Hammond and Nigerian defender Julius Akpele.