SpeakOut: Mohun Bagan V Bhaichung Bhutia Reactions

The row between Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and Indian international captain Bhaichung Bhutia has reached fever pitch. The Mariners accused the striker of not showing enough commitment to the team in the latter stages of the I-League campaign.

The club also alleged that Bhutia had missed a number of training sessions because of his participation in the reality show “Jhalak Dikhlaa Ja” and added that their poor performance in the tail-end of the I-League season was because of him.

Bhaichung Bhutia reacted by publicly declaring that he will never play for Mohun Bagan again and asked for a release.

Here at Goal.com, we have been catching up with a number of eminent Indian football personalities and have been getting their thoughts on the matter. Here are some of those reactions.

East Bengal star Alvito D’Cunha: “I feel what Mohun Bagan have done is bad. Bhaichung has taken the right decision. If I was a player of Mohun Bagan and being the captain, they would have done this to me, I would have done the same. He is an icon for Indian football. If he does a reality show we should be happy for him and support in this endeavour. He was seen in Mohun Bagan jersey several times in the show and they must appreciate that. He could have worn the Indian jersey but he opted for the Bagan one.”

Former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal player Aloke Mukherjee: “The situation could have been avoided if the officials sorted out the issue with Bhaichung in private. By involving the media, the whole matter took a different turn. I have heard that Bhaichung has been blamed for Mohun Bagan falling short in the title race. That is rubbish, football is not a one man game.”

Former East Bengal right-back Surkumar Singh: "Bhaichung's leadership skill is massive. If Mohun Bagan lose him, then they might be able to replace him with another player of a good caliber but they won't be able to replace his leadership skills."

Dempo star Mahesh Gawli: “In my opinion, Mohun Bagan should have contacted Bhaichung and only then taken an action. Mohun Bagan are wrong in this regard. Kolkata clubs bring up a player and suddenly bring them down. If they can do this to Bhaichung, then what about ordinary people?”

Dempo skipper Climax Lawrence: “It’s Mohun Bagan’s fault. If they had any problem with the player, they should have told him earlier. Why cry about later?”

East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick: “Bhaichung Bhutia is an Indian icon and still remains the best Indian striker. A player of his calibre is always welcome at East Bengal.”

Indian coach Bob Houghton: “I was astonished to see the commitment and dedication of our Indian team captain questioned. I have coached international players of more than 30 countries and I have never found a more committed and dedicated player. To question the commitment of any player who had played at the very top level in his country for 16 years and has achieved what Bhaichung has achieved internationally is truly inane.”

Subhankar Mondal

So what do you think? Do you think that Mohun Bagan are at fault in this matter? Is Bhaichung Bhutia right to ask for a release? Goal.com wants to know your opinion on the matter.