A day after the Indian media gave a racist twist to FIH's three-match ban (subsequently reduced to two) on striker Shivendra Singh, hockey's world governing body came out with a strong clarification.
A day after the Indian media gave a racist twist to FIH's three-match ban (subsequently reduced to two) on striker Shivendra Singh, hockey's world governing body came out with a strong clarification.
FIH communications manager Arjen Meijer, who sports a smile at most times, wore an angry look yesterday.
"This has nothing to do with racism," Meijer fumed. "The ban was imposed on the basis of video evidence that we may use after a match to decide on a certain issue," he said.
"We did just that and found that Shivendra's stick had hit Pakistan player Fareed Ahmed on the face, which made for a Level 2 offence, implying physical assault without serious injury.
"Since a player was hit on the face at a time when the ball was not close to the stick, it counts as an offence.
This level of offence calls for a minimum two-match ban, which the Indian player has received," Meijer added.
Tournament Director Ken Read voiced a similar opinion. "Shivendra was found to have committed a Level Two offence and the circumstances actually merited a four-match ban.
"However, going by the player's good track record, I decided to impose only a three-match ban. Any suggestion of racism is simply unacceptable," he added.
The Indian player meanwhile told MiD DAY soon after the ban that he was angry and disappointed at the decision. "FIH should have taken into account the fact that not only was the incident unintentional but I also have a very clean record in international hockey. I have played 115 internationals for India and have received only one card. This only proves that it's not in my nature to play rough," he said.
Yesterday, Shivendra was a bit relieved on learning that his ban was reduced. "Earlier I would only be returning for our last league match against South Africa.
"Now, I'm glad that I can at least figure in the game against England. That will be a very crucial game for us,"
the forward said.
