Bhutia not to indulge in mud-slinging game

However, in a show of solidarity, his team-mates rallied behind the Sikkimese striker scotching reports about senior players not liking his way of functioning during India’s Asian Cup campaign.

“I don’t want to dignify someone’s (Chowdhury) unnecessary comments.

“If someone wants to question my commitment towards the national team and the game, I can only talk about my on-field achievements,” the Indian captain said.

“If someone wants to question my integrity, just flip through the record books about my international record and the number of awards I have received,” an emotional Bhaichung said about the allegations that he along with national coach Bob Houghton indulged in politics within the team.

When asked about Chowdhury’s allegations that he stayed with the team at AIFF’s expense despite being injured, the skipper shot back, “That’s the tragic part. I have paid for the expense of my rehabilitation from my own pocket. I flew down to Chennai on my own.”

“Questioning our team spirit and unity is absolutely rubbish. We have great team unity and we hope people don’t try and break our team spirit as we are like one big family. We will always stick together and try to do our best as we have done in the Asian Cup,” the skipper stated.

Meanwhile, most of Bhaichung’s team-mates came out in his support, vehemently denying any rift in the team through Football Players Association of India website.