Bhutia uncertain for Santosh Trophy

Soccer star Bhaichung Bhutia, named captain of the Bengal squad in the ongoing Santosh Trophy, is uncertain about his participation in the tournament due to technicalities despite the arrival of his International Transfer Certificate.

All India Football Federation president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi has pointed out that as per the tournament eligibility rules, a player has to be registered with an affiliate association before the start of the Santosh Trophy.

However, Bhutia, who had a three-month stint with Malaysian outfit M K Land, could not register with Bengal soccer's parent body Indian Football Association in time as his ITC got delayed.

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Despite being named skipper, Bhutia could not accompany the Bengal squad to Thiruvananthapuram for the same reason. Bengal have already played two of their group league matches sans the lethal forward.

"I have been told by Dasmunshi that as per tournament rules, Bhutia can't play," IFA secretary Subrata Dutta told newspersons in Kolkata.

But Dutta said that there was still a glimmer of hope. "After repeated requests from me, Dasmunshi has assured me that he will discuss the matter with AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco to find whether there is a way out."