Five Indian hockey team members suspended

BANGALORE: Five members of the hockey team copped suspensions after an on-field fracas during an India-Pakistan game at Busselton in Australia on Friday.

Midfielder Gurbaj Singh, forwards Gurvinder Singh Chandi and Tushar Khandker, assistant coach Jugraj Singh and the team’s exercise physiologist David John, who was the stand-in manager, were handed bans by the tournament director Graham Napier after a hearing on Saturday.

While Gurbaj, who was apparently at the epicentre of it all, was suspended for three matches, Chandi and Jugraj were banned for five. Tushar and John got one each as was Pakistani skipper Shakeel Abbasi.

The trouble began on Friday with just 95 seconds to go for the match to end. Media reports suggested that Gurbaj hit a speeding Shafqat Rasool’s leg as he tried to edge past him. Abbasi confronted Gurbaj even as a penalty corner was signalled in favour of Pakistan. Soon others joined the fracas, leading to frayed tempers and flailing arms. Pakistani media also suggested that one of the Indian players hit Muhammed Imran with a stick, triggering the violence.

Gurbaj sustained a cut in the head after being hit with a stick and required two stitches, it is learnt. Both teams decided not to continue with the match which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Chief coach Michael Nobbs was disappointed with the incident. “It was a disaster waiting to happen. It is disappointing to see the players being suspended. I don’t know what happened but the Pakistan players were the ones who instigated our players,” he said.

The Australian added that the incident had prompted the organizers to rope in neutral umpires for the second leg of the tri-nation tournament in Bunbury, which begins with India-Australia fixture on Sunday.

Rajpal has surgery

In another blow to India, Rajpal Singh had to be hospitalised after he complained of a severe stomach ache. He underwent surgery for appendicitis on Saturday.