They are out to finish my career: Baichung Bhutia

After having served Indian football for almost two decades, Baichung Bhutia feels hurt and let down by his club. He tells DNA that the Mohun Bagan chapter is over for him.

Do you think this issue could have been better handled?
I think I have handled the issue well. But if you ask me about the club, then yes, absolutely. It was just a friendly match. I was a phone call away. They could have called me and sorted things out. But what can I say! This is how things happen here.

Do you think your conduct was professional at all times?
Yes. I just missed a friendly which happened after the season was over. I served the club to the best of my ability through the season, scored some good goals. I took permission and informed the club about taking part in the dance reality show (Jhalak Dikhla Ja). I missed only three training sessions. Only because I missed the exhibition match in Jalpaiguri that such an issue is being made out of it.

There are rumours that Mohun Bagan club secretary Anjan Mitra wanted you out?
If he did want me out the best thing to do is to part ways. This is no way of treating someone, especially a person who has served Indian football for so long. I have nothing against the club. It’s just some people who are giving Mohun Bagan a bad name. They are out to finish my career.

What do you mean by that?
They have suspended me without pay for six months. Isn’t that a long time in football? I am going to be 33 years old. I am not going to be around playing football for the next 10 years. They don’t want to release me. If they think I am not professional enough and that I have done something wrong, why do they still want me in the club? Why do they want to spend so much money to keep me in the club for another season?

Bob Houghton said that he would not have allowed you to take part in the show. Your comments...
If my coach or the club had at any point told me that they didn’t want me to take part in the show, I wouldn’t have. I took permission and informed all parties concerned but nobody seemed to have any problem. It was two and a half months later that I got a showcause notice and problems began. I went far in the show but the club and the officials were always in the loop. I have done everything that I think as a professional I would have to do in such a situation.

How is your relation with coach Karim Bencherifa?
There is absolutely no problem. He was always informed about everything. We’ve worked well throughout the season.

What’s the development with East Bengal?
I have been in touch with the club. I have appealed against Mohun Bagan’s decision to suspend me for six months without pay. One thing is for sure, after the way I have been treated by Bagan, I don’t want to play for them anymore.

Any scope of a compromise?
Compromise for what? I have done nothing wrong. I missed three training sessions. The season was over, so it wasn’t such a big deal. They could have just told me. I was informed that they have a problem two days after I missed the exhibition match. Not for the two and a half months before.

Are you planning to do any other TV shows after this?
I was approached for a couple of shows but I turned them down. The dance show was just a one-time thing. I had a great time performing. It was something I had never done before.

What’s next for Baichung Bhutia?
Just football. I am traveling with the national team on June 25 to Dubai for the camp there and will take it from there.