Fulham no to Bhutia

MUMBAI, JULY 22: Baichung Bhutia’s second attempt at joining an English football club came to nought yesterday, after he was rejected by Fulham FC. Bhutia failed to clear the selection trials, according to Bhutia’s coach at East Bengal, Subhash Bhowmick. Bhowmick told The Indian Express that Bhutia’s agent, Raj Purohit, will keep the Indian star in England till the end of August. Purohit is reportedly negotiating with three other European clubs.

Bhutia did not get to play a single match for the Fulham side during his stay there, and there were reports that he was kept out because a Department of Employment ruling in Britain had not been registered on time.

According to a witness, Bhutia and Purohit looked lost at the club’s training grounds on Tuesday.

Though earlier reports had suggested that Bhutia would be playing two friendly matches for Fulham during his trials, his name did not feature in the 16-member squad that was hosted by Scottish side Hearts in the second friendly yesterday atTyneside. Fulham lost that match 2-3.