Fight for our rights will go on: Bhaichung Bhutia - filed his nomination for AIFF presidency but his candidature became invalid after Monday’s verdict

Former India captain had filed his nomination for AIFF presidency but his candidature became invalid after Monday’s verdict

Bhaichung Bhutia.: Telegraph picture

Angshuman Roy   |   TT  |  Calcutta   |   23.08.22 : Bhaichung Bhutia has vowed to fight for the rights of players after the Supreme Court on Monday modified its August 3 verdict which had given 36 ‘eminent’ former footballers the power to vote in the elections to the general body of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The former India captain had filed his nomination for the presidency of the AIFF but, after Monday’s verdict, his candidature became invalid. He had filed an application in the apex court on Sunday, pleading “Fifa, state associations or third party with vested interests” should not be allowed to scuttle the election process.   

“The modifications (by the Supreme Court) were made so that India gets back the rights to host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup. But the battle to get into the general body will continue. Once the (U17) World Cup is over and the draft constitution takes final shape, we will fight to ensure that players’ voting rights are there,” Bhutia told The Telegraph on Monday, barely an hour after the top court passed its judgment.

“The players cannot be taken for granted. They must get their designated space in the running of the game. We will continue to pitch for players’ participation in football administration. Also, we should aspire to play in World Cups by winning qualification rounds and not as hosts,” he added.

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators’ bid to give players a voice may have hit the Fifa roadblock, but players will get enough courage to battle their way through the state associations in the future.

The present dispensation of the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) has former footballers and referees as office-bearers and that could be a reference point. Bhutia though said the officials have a vice-like grip on their respective states and it’s impossible to have a voice in the state football associations.

“In the last 75 years, have you seen players getting elected from their states? The state constitution is such that it’s not possible for any footballer to venture into administration. For us the only way is to go through the highest court in the country,” he said.

Bhutia’s name is on top of the eminent footballers’ list by virtue of playing the maximum number of international matches and he could be co-opted as one of the six former players on the executive committee. “It’s not about myself. I am speaking on behalf of the footballing fraternity. Tomorrow if a player wishes to stand for elections his dream should not be trampled upon,” he said.

Bhutia’s former teammate Rennedy Singh said the verdict is a setback to only those who have an interest in administration. “But,” he added, “if any player wishes to come on board we will all support him.”   

Steven Dias also echoed Rennedy’s view. “It’s a good thing that Bhaichung, Kalyan Chaubey (the former goalkeeper is being seen as the BJP candidate), Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Madhu Kumari decided to fight the elections. They are honest and competent. I hope Kalyan and Eugeneson file their nominations once again,” he said.  Shabbir Ali, a striker par excellence during his playing days, had mixed feelings.

“Voting rights taken away but at least six players will be co-opted. That’s a plus,” he said.