The Hellenic Hockey Federation has submitted a dispute to the Court of
Arbitration of Sport (CAS) 17 February 2004, concerning the qualification of
the Greek Men’s team to the XXVII Olympic Games, reports the International
Hockey Federation (FIH).
Greece, the host nation of the XXVII Olympic Games, was required to meet the
qualification criteria set out by the International Hockey Federation (FIH)
and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The first option for Greece
to gain a place at the Olympics was by qualifying for the European Nations
Cup, held in 2003. Greece did not qualify for this tournament but there was
a second opportunity for Greece to qualify for the Olympics.
This required Greece to beat the 12th qualified team of the Men’s Olympic
Qualifier in a best of three play-off competition. Canada, the 12th
qualified team at the Qualifiers, would keep its place in the Qualifier
regardless of whether it won or lost against Greece, but there would be six
places at stake at the Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Madrid if
Greece qualified, rather than seven.
Greece participated under protest in the Men’s Qualifying Play-Off
Competition held 18 and 19 February in Madrid.
The results of the play-off are:
18.02.04 Match 1: Canada 7 Greece 1
19.02.04 Match 2: Greece 1 Canada 3
21.02.04 Match 3: Following the FIH Tournament Regulations, as the same team
won the first two matches, it was not compulsory to play the third match.
The teams have agreed not to play the final match.
Peter Cohen, FIH Hon. Secretary General stated, “The FIH respects the
Hellenic Hockey Federation’s right, under the FIH Statutes, to contest this
issue at CAS and will look to this jurisdictional body to provide a ruling
that will be accepted by both parties.”
For further information on the qualification procedures for the Olympics and
detailed reports from the play-off series, see www.worldhockey.org.