Bhutia holds Paul responsible

Soccer star Bhaichung Bhutia on Monday held Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul responsible for the death of Brazilian striker Cristiano de Lima Junior and demanded Paul's suspension for "unsporting play".

"This is a very unfortunate incident. Junior's death is a great loss... it was because of unsporting play by Paul that Junior is not with us," Bhutia told newspersons in Kolkata.

Bhutia said this was not the first time that Paul had indulged in such on-field behaviour and referred to his physical assault on Jeremiah during a free-for-all in the Durand Cup final against East Bengal.

"I think some action should have been taken against him then, he should have been suspended then only. But the All  India Football Federation did not take action," a visibly upset Bhutia said.

"The Federation should now come forward and see the video clippings of Sunday's match. They should come forward and take action... the Federation should suspend him," said Bhutia in a voice choked with emotion.

Bhutia, who was speaking to newspersons at the East Bengal club tent, also expressed dismay that Mohun Bagan players and coach Subrata Bhattacharya did not visit the hospital in Bangalore where Junior died.

"Football will not benefit if no action is taken against Paul now," he said.

Bhutia and Junior played together for East Bengal last season before the latter shifted to Dempo Sports Club.

Junior died after collapsing during the final of the Federation Cup Football Championship in Bangalore on Sunday soon after scoring the second goal for Dempo to enable his side to lift the Cup.

The tragedy struck in the 78th minute of the match at Sree Kanteerava Stadium when the dazzling striker was rushing to net the goal and Paul's hand seemed to have hit Junior's chest.

Meanwhile, an ex gratia of Rs. one lakh would be given to Junior's family by KSFA and Karnataka Government each, KSFA President A R Khaleel told PTI.

Khaleel, who is also Treasurer of All India Football Federation, rejected Dempo's charge of medical negligence by  KSFA. "It's totally baseless," he said adding two doctors were on duty at the ground.

On criticism that Junior should have been rushed to the nearby Mallya hospital and not to Hosmat Hospital which was two kilometres away, Khaleel said the Brazilian striker was accompanied in the ambulance by officials of Dempo, who should have taken the decision to take him to Mallya realising the gravity of the situation.

He also wondered why Dempo, a professional team, did not have a doctor of their own, and lashed out at the Goan outfit for trying to "throw the blame on KSFA."