FIH president leandro Negre on Friday said that disciplinary committee of the parent body could hand out a stiffer punishment to the Pakistani hockey players Md Tousiq and Ali Amjad for making obscene gestures post their Champions Trophy semi-final win against India.
The International Hockey Federation initially let two Pakistani players off with a warning before Hockey India's strong protest led to the two offenders being banned for the final against Germany. "Whenever such a situation arises, the technical director of the tournament takes the final call. The correct decision was taken after watching the videos and photos of the Pakistani players' celebrations.
The matter is with the disciplinary committee now and it will decide what more action needs to be taken against the players," FIH top boss Negre said. Reacting to Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh's allegations that it was an "Indian conspiracy", behind punishing his players, Negre said that it was Sheikh's personal view.
"What the Pakistani coach has said is his view. I have my own opinion on the matter. The reaction of the Pakistani players was not polite at all. It was rather provocative. The FIH did exactly what they had to do and took the right decision (to ban two players)," Negre added.
While Tousiq and Amjad were banned for the final third player at the centre of controversy—Shafqat Rasool — was let off with a warning.
Olympian Shahnaz, after reaching Pakistan, said the team was forced to tender an unconditional apology after Hockey India pressurised FIH to take action strict against players, adding that the hosts did all of this to dampen the team's spirits before the final the following day.
pak hockey coach alleges conspiracy
Karachi: Pakistan hockey team coach Shahnaz Sheikh made allegations that it was "India's conspiracy" to put pressure on his players ahead of the Champions Trophy final against Germany, which his team lost 0-2.
Pakistan players had engaged in wild celebrations after beating arch-rivals India 4-3 in a nail-biting semi-final in Bhubaneswar with some tailing their jerseys off while making obscene gesture towards the Indian spectators. As a result two of his players Amjad Ali and Mohammed Tousiq were banned.
Sheikh, a former Olympian alleged foul-play and also said that a "small incident" was blown out of proportion.
"The way the incident of our players celebrating after the semi-final win over India was blow out of proportion and the manner in which we were put under pressure before the final against Germany is a confirmation of Indian conspiracy. They didn't want us to win the title," Sheikh said. Sheikh also complained that the team wasn't provided with any security as they were returning by bus crossing the Wagah Border.
"It was a long drive and there was no security escort given to us which was strange because in the past buses have been stoned and harassed on this route. More importantly, soon after we beat India in the semi-final, the attitude towards us changed and it added to the pressure on us before the final," fumed Sheikh.
He went on to allege that even India's behaviour after their Asian Games triumph was not at all sporting.