Bhaichung-Bhaichung Bhutia has some reasons to cheer on the eve of India’s lung opener in the Nehru Cup. World football’s governing body Fifa has cleared him to play in the five-nation tournament that starts on Wednesday. This is despite Mohun Bagan’s six-month suspension notice on the Indian captain, which, according to the latter, was hampering his preparations for the Nehru Cup.

“The situation would have to be assessed according to national rules and regulations. The national football federation will decide if a player, who is suspended by his club, would be eligible to play for his country or not. Fifa doesn’t have any reservations,” Fifa spokesperson Valentin Ségolène told The Indian Express in an e-mail statement.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary Alberto Colaco has already said that the Federation will allow Bhutia to play for the country.

In fact, Mohun Bagan secretary Anjan Mitra raised suspicion the other day over Bhutia’s eligibility to play for India while on suspension. “The Federation had earlier given Bhiachung the go-ahead to play for the country. But now, the way they have been rushing things, I wonder if the international rules really permit a suspended player to play for his country?” Mitra had asked.

Following his comments, this paper contacted Fifa and the decks have now been cleared for Bhutia to concentrate fully on the job at hand.

Mitra has accepted Fifa’s decision. “Fifa is the highest ruling body of football. We have to accept its decision. In any case, we don’t want to deprive any player of his livelihood. He has entered into an agreement with East Bengal despite being our contracted player till the 2009-2010 season. We could have made it a big issue and Bhaichung would have been in serious trouble for breaching the contract. But we chose to ignore his deal with East Bengal as we believe he will retract and will sign for Mohun Bagan after the suspension period is over. We just want him to be a little more respectful to the institution and to his seniors,” Mitra told this daily.

For the moment, however, Bhutia can put aside his concerns and focus solely on the Nehru Cup as India’s success depends on his performance and leadership skills.

Barreto bats for BhutiaMeanwhile, Mohun Bagan ace Jose Ramirez Barreto came out in support of his friend and former striking partner, saying that he would like to see Bhutia in action soon. “Mohun Bagan or East Bengal, allow him to play. Everybody wants to see a player of his class in action,” Barreto said today.

The Brazilian, who is working hard to regain full fitness but is unlikely to play in the IFA Shield, has already said that he would miss the Sikkimese Sniper if the latter didn’t return to his old club.