In a six-page missive to AIFF President Praful Patel, Bagan General Secretary Anjan Mintra questioned the move by AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco to refer the matter to arbitrator Amarendra Sharan, who had declared Bhutia a free player, thus giving him interim relief till a final decision is taken to resolve the suspension row.
"It is really hard to understand how by-passing both the governing body of the local committee and the players' status committee the matter has been sent to Mr Sharan," Mitra wrote in the letter.
Alleging irregularities against Colaco, who referred the matter to Sharan, the letter stated, "it is the view of the general public that since the dispute is with Mr Bhutia who enjoys the position of an icon in Indian football, the AIFF has committed all the irregularities. So kindly let us know all the facts and circumstances."
"We suspect probably you are not aware of the scenario. Mr Bhutia is a player registered under IFA. It is the standing players' status committee of the IFA who is the real authority to determine the status of Bhutia."
