Winning or losing is just a part of the game. What is more important is to play with the right spirit and respect the opposing team as well. This is something which the Pakistan players should have kept in mind after posting a 4-3 win against India. Instead what they did was the most immature behavior one could have ever accepted on the pitch.

Just after the final hooter went off, the Pakistan players removed their jerseys started wild dance, went to one corner of the field and started showing obscene gestures to the crowd. When the crowd retorted, they gestured them to shut up and showed them the score-line.

The provocative and totally unacceptable behaviour was led by Captain Mohd Imran, who should have actually controlled the crowd instead of instigating and being part of it.

It was also witnessed that most members of the team were showing middle finger for long spells, many cameramen have caught it all.

However, on pointed out by the technical bench, Coach Shahnaz Sheikh rushed to other side and slapped Goalie wearing jersey no.22 twice on back, then only the team melted to other corner for dancing again.

Later what happened was more shocking. During the press conference, when the coach of the Pakistan team Shahnaz Sheikh was asked if the players should have retorted in that manner, the initially dodged the question but later said ‘sorry’ which in tune and tenor appeared casual. When the media pressed further, he retorted: “What else can I do? When the media kept on asking questions on the same topic, he got up, visibly upset, and wondered why won’t you all questions about the match, and then in a huff walked out of the press conference room, taking with him his captain, all the way venting out expletives which was heard by a few people huddled in the stadium.

He certainly showed middle finger to a journalist as he was leaving, and then used the word ‘B..t.rd’ which was heard by reliable some.

A section of journalists also shouted as he was leaving, he was heard telling that he will complain this to FIH.

The FIH has later accepted the apology quickly, and issued a statement on behalf of the Tournament Director that no further action will be taken. However, it must be noted that game after all is best when played true to the spirit of it.

==============================

Sardar Singh: This is not correct

Sardar Singh: This is not correct

Reacting to the ugly incident of Pakistan players, who showed middle finger at the crowd, and then used all the obscene gestures towards main stand after winning India in the semis, Indian captain Sardar Singh felt such things should not have happened and it is not the way celebrated our victory over them at Incheon where we won the Gold.

“There were lot of families in the crowd, the crowd was good. The way Pak did was inappropriate. Its not done. We also won them at Incheon, but we did not celebrate like this”, said visibly crestfallen Sardar Singh.

He felt apologetic for letting the nation down.

Chief coach Roelant Oltmans also felt the same, and said that he has not seen much, but whatever he has seen was too much. “