The Hindu: CAS rules in HI’s favour

The CAS, while agreeing that the change in FIH statutes did affect the IHF’s position, refused any relief saying the changes were ‘necessary and neutral in their effect’

Hockey India registered a major legal victory on Friday with the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) recognising it as the governing body and dismissing all claims by the IHF, bringing an end to a seven-year long tussle for authority.

The CAS judgement, a copy of which is with The Hindu, not only categorically dismisses all appeals filed by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), it has also directed the body to bear all the litigation and arbitration costs and pay CHF 6,000 each to HI and the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

“The Court of Arbitration for Sport rules that: the Appeal filed by the IHF on 28 November 2014 is dismissed; the decision of FIH on 1 November 2014 is confirmed; the cost of the arbitration, to be determined and served to the parties by the CAS Court Office, shall be borne by the IHF; the IHF shall make a contribution of CHF 6,000 towards legal fees and expenses incurred by each of the FIH and HI in connection with these arbitration proceedings; all other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” the court order states.

The IHF had challenged both the FIH and the HI for not only incorrectly and unfairly applying the rules for recognition but also sought its recognition as the FIH member from India. The CAS, while agreeing that the change in FIH statutes did affect the IHF’s position, refused any relief saying the changes were “necessary and neutral in their effect”. It also summarily dismissed the IHF’s other petitions.

Interestingly, the Supreme Court of India had in February this year dismissed applications filed against the recognition of HI even though it refrained from giving an opinion on the merits of the case.

HI president Narinder Batra was expectedly happy. “The IHF has been constantly trying to file frivolous cases both in India and in the CAS but this will be last nail in its coffin. We already have recognition from the FIH, the Government of India and the IOA.

“Now we have also been favoured by the CAS. As far as I am concerned, the matter is over,” Batra said.

IHF general secretary Ashok Mathur admitted it was a disappointing decision. “We had everything in our favour, including the procedures and the legal aspects. I can talk about our next step only after going through the entire decision. The monetary aspect doesn’t bother us as much as the legal implications do. Let us see, we will decide on further action soon,” Mathur said.