Nothing finalised with Premier Futsal, still part of AIFF: Bhaichung Bhutia

Should he join, Bhaichung Bhutia will not be part of association football as Premier Futsal is not recognised by All India Football Federation.

Bhaichung Bhutia denied reports that he has resigned from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). “There is no truth in this,” he said, over the phone from Mumbai late on Thursday evening. Head of the AIFF’s technical committee till last December, Bhutia is now an advisor to the federation president.

Reports have emerged that Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia might be joining Premier Futsal. (PTI)

AIFF general secretary Kushal Das too said Bhutia hasn’t resigned. Both were reacting to a news report that he would join Premier Futsal as their talent director for an India talent hunt programme.

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A PTI report also carried a statement from Bhutia that quoted him as saying: “Premier Futsal League has emerged as a category-defining offering in the Indian sporting landscape...It is a great honour for me to be a part of such a tournament.”

Dinesh Raj, managing director, Premier Futsal League was quoted in that report as saying: “It is a matter of great pride and honour for us to have a personality of Bhaichung’s stature to be a part of Premier Futsal.”

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However, when HT sought a reaction for this, Bhutia said: “It is true that Premier Futsal has reached out to me but nothing has been finalised yet and I haven’t resigned from the AIFF either.”

Bhutia, therefore, is unlikely to be part of Friday’s programme in Mumbai for the competition that may feature Ronaldinho but is not recognised by the AIFF. That means should Bhutia, 40, join Premier Futsal, he would not be part of association football.

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Last year, Premier Futsal had stars of the 11-a-side game such as Ryan Giggs, Ronaldinho, Hernan Crespo, Paul Scholes and Brazil futsal star Falcao headlining the six-team event.