New Delhi:
The arbitrator appointed to settle Bhaichung Bhutia's suspension row with Mohun Bagan on Sunday asked both the parties to settle the issue amicably by September 16, the day on which he would conduct a final hearing if the deadlock continues.
"Today, I told both the parties to settle the issue amicably. We will see on Wednesday what both the parties say. If they don't (settle amicably) I will have to pass an order after Wednesday," former Additional Solicitor General Amarendra Sharan, who was appointed by All India Football Federation to decide on the matter, said.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan moved an application before Sharan that the ongoing case was a conciliatory process and not an arbitration matter, which would mean that both the parties can appeal to a higher court of law against Sharan's decision.
"Bagan moved an application that the present case is a conciliatory process not an arbitration," a lawyer from Suri and Company, which is representing Mohun Bagan, said. Sharan said he will "apply" his mind on the application by Mohun Bagan but he would first see whether both parties respond to his suggestion to settle the issue amicably.
The arbitrator said the defamation charge by Bhutia on Mohun Bagan claiming Rs 1 crore as damages was not taken up as he wanted an amicable solution.
Asked about the application by Bhutia for granting an interim relief, Sharan said hearing will be held on that matter on Wednesday if both parties do not agree to settle the issue amicably.
Bhutia had applied for an interim relief which sources said was done to ensure his participation in the Durand Cup here for East Bengal, who play their first quarterfinal league match on Wednesday.
Bhutia was not present in person today and was represented by his counsels Usha Nath Banerjee and Pradeep Aggarwal.
For Mohun Bagan, its club secretary Anjan Mitra and Gita Nath Ganguly, lawyers from Suri and Company were there at Sharan's residence here.
Bhutia was suspended for six months without pay by Mohun Bagan in June for missing a few team training sessions and an exhibition match.
He appealed to the Indian Football Association (West Bengal football body) but later the AIFF took up the matter. The national body's Players' Status Committee, however, failed to decide on the matter as one member refused to give his opinion.
The AIFF then asked its outgoing General Secretary Alberto Colaco to mediate between Mohun Bagan and Bhutia. After Colaco could not find a solution, the AIFF Executive Committee in its meeting on August 30 had decided to refer the matter to an arbitrator.
"Today, I told both the parties to settle the issue amicably. We will see on Wednesday what both the parties say. If they don't (settle amicably) I will have to pass an order after Wednesday," former Additional Solicitor General Amarendra Sharan, who was appointed by All India Football Federation to decide on the matter, said.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan moved an application before Sharan that the ongoing case was a conciliatory process and not an arbitration matter, which would mean that both the parties can appeal to a higher court of law against Sharan's decision.
"Bagan moved an application that the present case is a conciliatory process not an arbitration," a lawyer from Suri and Company, which is representing Mohun Bagan, said. Sharan said he will "apply" his mind on the application by Mohun Bagan but he would first see whether both parties respond to his suggestion to settle the issue amicably.
The arbitrator said the defamation charge by Bhutia on Mohun Bagan claiming Rs 1 crore as damages was not taken up as he wanted an amicable solution.
Asked about the application by Bhutia for granting an interim relief, Sharan said hearing will be held on that matter on Wednesday if both parties do not agree to settle the issue amicably.
Bhutia had applied for an interim relief which sources said was done to ensure his participation in the Durand Cup here for East Bengal, who play their first quarterfinal league match on Wednesday.
Bhutia was not present in person today and was represented by his counsels Usha Nath Banerjee and Pradeep Aggarwal.
For Mohun Bagan, its club secretary Anjan Mitra and Gita Nath Ganguly, lawyers from Suri and Company were there at Sharan's residence here.
Bhutia was suspended for six months without pay by Mohun Bagan in June for missing a few team training sessions and an exhibition match.
He appealed to the Indian Football Association (West Bengal football body) but later the AIFF took up the matter. The national body's Players' Status Committee, however, failed to decide on the matter as one member refused to give his opinion.
The AIFF then asked its outgoing General Secretary Alberto Colaco to mediate between Mohun Bagan and Bhutia. After Colaco could not find a solution, the AIFF Executive Committee in its meeting on August 30 had decided to refer the matter to an arbitrator.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
