New Delhi: Indian forward Shivendra Singh, who scored the first goal in India’s first World Cup Hockey match against Pakistan on Sunday, has been suspended for three matches for “deliberately” hitting a Pakistan player.
The Indian team management has appealed against the punishment meted out to Shivendra, who scored a goal in India's 4-1 victory over Pakistan at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.
Announcing the suspension, tournament director Ken Read said Shivendra deserved a four-match ban but he reduced it to three matches.
"The Indian team has appealed against the suspension. A three-man appeals board will announce its decision two hours before the start of tomorrow's (Tuesday's) match (against Australia)," Read said.
Read said it was a suo motu decision, IANS reports.
Asked whether he can pass a decision even if the incident was not reported by the umpires and the Pakistani team, Read said: "Yes, I have the full rights to suspend a player if I find something wrong against him, even if the incident was not reported to me by the umpires."
Shivendra was found guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct in the match against Pakistan.
In the 39th minute, Shivendra successfully jab tackled Fareed Ahmed, who was not in possession of the ball, and launched on a counter attack. As he moved past Fareed, Shivendra lifted his stick and struck the player above the eye causing a small cut.
"The guidelines put this as a level 2 offence - physical assault without serious injury. The penalty suggested is a minimum of two matches ban. In my view this is not a case to apply the minimum because the ball remained on the ground at all times and was clear of the players when Fareed was struck," said Reed.
"The action of lifting the stick was deliberate. A four-match suspension is appropriate, but given the history of this player I consider that a suspension for three matches is appropriate."
Read called the action intentional, saying there was no reason for the stick to be in the air when the ball was on the ground.
"Shivendra stated that he had no intention to hit Fareed after the jabbing and just wanted to run faster and for that he held his stick with both hands. I reject this argument. There was no need for the stick to be lifted. I find that the stick was deliberately raised and that the behaviour of Shivendra was reckless as to the safety of Fareed," he said.
Read said he was requested to take into account the fact that Shivendra has been representing India since 2006 and even took part in the World Cup the same year.
"He has played 110 games without a suspension. I was told that he has not had a single card in his career, that he is a very disciplined player on and off the ground. The attitude of Shivendra at the hearing was respectful and I take this into account in his favour together with his past record," Read added.
Shivendra is a crucial cog in the Indian team’s forward line and he opened India's account against Pakistan on Sunday by scoring from a rebound.
India play Australia in the next Pool B match on Tuesday, followed by ties against Spain (Thursday) and England (Saturday).
(With inputs from IANS and PTI)
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