One-match ban comes after Hockey India’s threat to boycott all FIH events in India
After a strong-worded letter by Hockey India president Dr Narinder Batra, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Sunday suspended two Pakistan players for one match and reprimanded another player for making obscene gestures towards the audience after their semi-final win against India on Saturday.
According the official press release issued by FIH, Ali Amjad and Muhammad Tousiq were given a one-match ban, which meant the two couldn’t participate in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday. However, a third Pakistani player Shafqat Rasool got away with official reprimand.
“After the conclusion of the semi-final match between India and Pakistan, Amjad Ali was seen making obscene gestures that are considered to be obscene, the evidence of which surfaced after the initial statement was issued on the midnight of 14 December,” the FIH said in a statement.
Earlier, the FIH had decided not to punish players for their misconduct as their coach had given an apology letter but Hockey India threat of boycotting all FIH events scheduled to be held in India during the next few calender years made the world hockey’s governing body reverse its decision.
Batra communicated to Tournament director Wiet Doyer that “in case this kind of behaviour by teams is within normal and tolerable limits of FIH then we may not be interested to host any more tournaments in India and the tournaments may be shifted to countries which tolerate this kind of nonsense and uncouth behaviour”.