Promising winger Abinash Ruidas today claimed breach of trust by East Bengal and vowed never to turn up for the red-and-gold brigade.
Son of a cobbler at Budge Budge, the 22-year-old Ruidas made his name in East Bengal after a spectacular debut in 2014-15 but his love affair turned sour as his talks for 2016 -17 failed.
"I've had such a good relation with East Bengal, my father is also a die-hard red-and-gold supporter but now I will never play for East Bengal," Ruidas told PTI.
Ruidas claimed that he never signed for East Bengal for 2017-18 and they have "forged" his signature.
"I've made inquiries with IFA but they are not showing any contract. I never signed for 2017-18. They are also saying 'come for settlement' and sign the contract. If I signed the contract then why they are asking me to sign again?" he asked.
Ruidas said he was trolled on social media and charged for "betraying East Bengal".
"But they don't know my side of the story, and the kind of mental turmoil I'm going through. But I'm not giving up as I've not made any foul play here. I know the repercussions.I may get suspended and can never play again if East Bengal were proved right but I'll not move an inch. I'm not stopping till I prove them wrong.
"I just pray that I get justice and no other junior player has to go through this predicament," Ruidas said, indicating that he may seek the help of a top sports lawyer in Mumbai.
East Bengal have claimed they still have a contract with Ruidas who has, however, submitted a copy of his expired contract before being picked by Mumbai City FC in the ISL players draft on July 23.
The All India Football Federation may take up the case of Ruidas with Mumbai City FC urging the parent body to take up the matter in an urgent basis.
The matter is now being heard by the Indian Football Association's players' status committee.
But as per Article 14.2 (r) of the AIFF Constitution, the Indian parent body has the "sole jurisdiction" of any contract related dispute.
"We have signed a contract with Ruidas till May 31, 2018. The player who was earlier contracted to East Bengal has represented to us that his contract expired on may 31, a copy of which was provided to us," Indranil Das Blah, CEO of Mumbai City FC wrote in the letter.
"It has been brought to our notice that East Bengal has sent a fresh contract to AIFF for two years (2017-19), allegedly signed by the player who has assured that he has never signed any such document for extension as alleged by East Bengal.
"In such circumstances, we would like to refer the matter to AIFF Player Status Committee on urgent basis.
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