Mohun Bagan's prolonged dispute with their former captain Bhaichung Bhutia is turning into a battle against arch rivals East Bengal, with both clubs hurling charges against each other.
East Bengal on Friday backtracked from their earlier statement that Bhutia practised for their club after taking permission from the AIFF-appointed arbitrator Amarendra Sharan.
Without naming Mohun Bagan, East Bengal general secretary Kalyan Majumdar in a strongly-worded release said, "A club has undertaken a vow to spread canard against East Bengal to shield their incomprehensible dealing with Bhutia an example of the worst kind of fiction."
Addressing the media, he cited the example of Snehashish Chakraborty, who had donned Mohun Bagan jersey before his release from East Bengal.
"I don't think Bhutia's practice before the judgement against the law. We have done it and will do it in future also," Majumdar said.
"The club has signed an MoU with Bhutia for the next season once the suspension impasse was over," he said.
Bagan termed this a "damage control" exercise and that East Bengal would now have to face the consequences. "By allowing a player, who is facing a hearing, they have indulged in unlawful practice and they have to face the consequence. Snehashish was never suspended," Bagan secretary Anjan Mitra said.
"Our executive committee will sit and take the next course of action. We may approach FIFA or the courts of law (if the judgment goes against us)," said Mitra.
Bhutia continued with his practice on Friday also.
After he practised with East Bengal for the first time on September 23, its football secretary Santosh Bhattacharya had said that Bhutia had sought permission from Sharan.
"He (Sharan) has said Bhutia is 'free' to practice for any club to maintain fitness," Bhattacharya had said.
The Bagan-Bhutia deadlock has been dragging since June when the ace Indian striker was slapped with a six months suspension without pay on disciplinary grounds.
Bhutia, who has a year's contract left with Bagan, then signed up with his former club East Bengal.
The dispute is now pending before the arbitrator, after the IFA and AIFF failed to resolve it.
