Hockey India (HI) on Monday made it clear that it will not be willing to play any bilateral series against Pakistan until Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) tenders an unconditional apology for the unprofessional behavior of its player after the semi-final match of the 2014 Champions Trophy.
PHF Secretary Shahbaz Ahmad had recently alleged that their team was denied participation in the junior World Cup last year in lucknow only because of the Champions Trophy semifinal incident in Bhubaneswar. After the victory against India, some Pakistani players had taken off their shirts and made obscene gestures at the crowd.
However, Hockey India insists that the sole reason for Pakistan missing the World Cup was their late visa applications.
"The matter of the Pakistan team not participating in the Uttar Pradesh Men's Hockey Junior World Cup 2016 was completely a matter of Rules and Regulations regarding visa applications and other formalities not being adhered to by the Pakistan Hockey Federation within the required stipulated period of time," a Hockey India statement said.
"The Pakistan Hockey Federation failed to submit the visa applications for their team 60 days prior to the start of the tournament as per the required deadlines as stipulated in the permissions of the Government of India.
"Since Pakistan Hockey Federation failed to adhere to the deadlines for the submission of their visa's, Hockey India cannot be blamed for the consequent rejection of invitation by FIH. FIH also sent numerous reminders for Pakistan Hockey Federation for the submission of the Pakistan teams visa, the decision of FIH to withdraw the Pakistan Hockey team from the Hockey Junior World Cup 2016 was solely at their discretion and has nothing to do with Hockey India," the statement added.
On the issue, RP Singh, Spokesman Hockey India, Athlete Representative on the Executive Board of Hockey India said, "It is a shame that Pakistan Hockey Federation has again raised the issue of the misbehavior of the Pakistan Hockey team during the FIH Champions Trophy in 2014 as an excuse and opportunity to blame Hockey India for their own incompetence that resulted in the Pakistan team not participating in the Hockey Junior World Cup 2016."
He added: "In light of this and the perpetual lies told by Pakistan Hockey Federation to blame others for their own inefficiencies, Hockey India has again taken the decision to not play any bi-lateral series against Pakistan unless they submit an unconditional regret in writing for the lewd and unprofessional behavior of the Pakistan team during the FIH Champions Trophy 2014 and their habit of telling perpetual lies to media regarding Hockey India.”