baichung_bhutiaThe arbitrator appointed to settle Bhaichung Bhutia’s suspension row with Mohun Bagan on Sunday asked both the parties to settle the issue amicably by September 16, the day on which he would conduct a final hearing if the deadlock continues.

“Today, I told both the parties to settle the issue amicably. We will see on Wednesday what both the parties say. If they don’t (settle amicably) I will have to pass an order after Wednesday,” former Additional Solicitor General Amarendra Sharan, who was appointed by All India Football Federation to decide on the matter, told PTI.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan moved an application before Sharan that the ongoing case was a conciliatory process and not an arbitration matter, which would mean that both the parties can appeal to a higher court of law against Sharan’s decision.

“Bagan moved an application that the present case is a conciliatory process not an arbitration,” a lawyer from Suri and Company, which is representing Mohun Bagan, said.

Sharan said he will “apply” his mind on the application by Mohun Bagan but he would first see whether both parties respond to his suggestion to settle the issue amicably.

The arbitrator said the defamation charge by Bhutia on Mohun Bagan claiming Rs 1 crore as damages was not taken up as he wanted an amicable solution.