By our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI, July 21: Arup Baruah, the goalkeeper of Tezpur United, in a letter to the All India Football Federation brought serious allegation against his former coach and current team for depriving him of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) even after repeated request. In his letter, he raised doubts that Tezpur United has blocked his NOC on the advice of his former coach Santanu Basu. He even alleged that Basu has sought money from him to issue the NOC.
The letter which Arup sent to the General Secretary of the All India Football Federation, stated, "On the suggestion of Santanu Basu I agreed to play for Tezpur United in the Assam State Premier League. Basu has good relation with Tezpur United and he assured me that after the tourment he will request the officials of the club to release me with an NOC so that I can join Oil India limited, my new team. Tezpur United already bowed out from the competition but I am yet to get my NOC even though the team initially agreed to give it to me in time. I doubt Basu is somehow involved in it as he demanded money from me for the clearance certificate." Arup also sent a copy of this letter to the Assam Football Association. When contacted, Ankur Dutta, the secretary of the Assam Football Association, however, said that he was yet to receive the copy of the letter.
Meanwhile Santanu Basu, today said that the allegations brought against him is totally baseless. Talking to The Sentinel Basu said, “I have never collected money from any player who had played under me. I know Arup very well and he is a very good boy. I am really surprised to see that he has taken such a step. I feel some vested interested are working behind the entire episode to malign my image."