WSH buzz reaches Europe now
Uthra G Chaturvedi
Former India hockey coach Jose Brasa has filed a case with the European Competitions Commission in Spain to appeal against the threat of suspension issued by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to players keen to play in the cash-rich World Series Hockey.
Hockey India, recognised by the FIH, has threatened to ban players participating in the WSH, which is being backed by the Indian Hockey Federation. The organisers of world series have already moved the Competitions Commission of India following Hockey India’s proposed ban.
Around the world, players are making similar appeals.
Brasa, one of the coaches associated with the WSH, told The Indian Express on Wednesday that he has filed a case with the European Competitions Commission in Spain. And so have many others.
“I have filed a case against FIH. And I know a lot of players in Spain have also done the same. What the FIH is doing is completely wrong. They cannot stop a player from playing anywhere,” Brasa said from Madrid.
Asked about whether Spanish players will participate in the league, he replied in the affirmative. “Yes, they are scared after the FIH threat. But I am confident they will decide to play. I don’t know about the situation in India but I am aware that a lot of players and officials, who have been threatened with sanctions and suspensions in many countries, have filed court cases. In Holland, UK and other places, a lot of cases have been filed. From what I hear, the FIH will lose because they are trying to stop players from earning a livelihood through fair means,” Brasa, who will be arriving in India next week, added..
The WSH appeal in India relates to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position under Section 3 and 4 of the Competition Act, 2002, which declare that anti-competitive agreements will be void and prohibits enterprises and persons from entering into agreements…that causes or is likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.
A recent media report too had cited Dutchman Jesse Mahieu as saying that he and other Dutch players, including national team members Rob Reckers, Rob Short, Ronald Brouwer and Eli Matheson are still hopeful that there will be no suspension in the end. “I understand that Australian hockey players are allowed to play hockey in India because the Australian union did not accept the rules of the FIH,” Mahieu was quoted as saying. FIH was unavailable for comment.