New Delhi:
The arbitrator appointed to resolve the suspension row between Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Mohun Bagan has asked both the parties to present their case by Tuesday.
Former Additional Solicitor General of India, Amarendra Sharan said that Bhutia and Mohun Bagan have been issued notices and they can present their case personally or through their lawyers.
"I have issued notices to Bhutia and Mohun Bagan, and to the All India Football Federation and Indian Football Association (West Bengal football body)," said senior advocate Sharan, who was appointed by AIFF acting president Praful Patel on September 3 to decide the suspension row.
"I have asked Bhutia and Mohun Bagan to file their replies by September 8, claims or counter claims, any application for interim relief, etc. Bhutia and the club can come here and present their case or they can send their lawyers," he added.
Sharan said a decision on the case should not take much time "as the matter is small".
"It's a small matter and it should not take much time. Maybe in seven days I hope I will be able to decide," he said.
The senior Supreme Court lawyer said he will have to look at some primary documents, including the contract paper of Bhutia with Mohun Bagan.
"I will have to examine the contract as that's a primary document," said Sharan.
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 made an appeal to the IFA 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.