Kolkata: Fancied outfit Mohun Bagan on Tuesday terminated the services of controversial soccer coach Subrata Bhattacharjee, accusing him of engaging in activities detrimental to the interest of football.

Announcing the decision, club general secretary Anjan Mitra alleged that Bhattacharjee had on Monday instigated some players not to wear the Bagan jersey for the remaining two National League outings, as they were yet to get full payment.

"At a time when the game is going through tough times in India, such activities by a coach is against the interests of soccer," Mitra told newspersons here.

Mitra said on receiving reports that Bhattacharjee was instigating the players, he had made an inquiry. "After satisfying myself that Bhattacharjee was playing dirty games, I decided to sack him. The letter has been sent," he said.

Arjuna awardee Bhattacharjee, who had a 17-year stint with Bagan as player, later coached the club to two NFL titles, including one last year.

But he got embroiled in a series of controversies, and the club recently decided to slap a show-cause notice on him for the coach's 'objectionable' comments against an official.

Mitra said the club executive committee, meeting on Wednesday, would decide on the show-cause notice. He indicated that further steps might be taken against Bhattacharjee, who continued to be a Bagan member.

He said the two assistant coaches - Bidesh Bose and Shyamal Banerjee - would be in charge of the team for the remaining NFL matches. "If they decline the offer, one of the senior players will be entrusted with the job."

PTI