Asian players have always been treated harshly, says Zafar
March 1st, 2010 - 9:30 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, March 1 (IANS) Taking a serious note of the three-match ban imposed on centre forward Shivendra Singh, former India captain Zafar Iqbal claimed Asian players have always been meted out a harsh treatment by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
Zafar, who was member of the Olympics gold winning team in 1980, said he is not surprised by Shivendra’s suspension. Shivendra was punished for “deliberately hitting” Pakistan’s Fareed Ahmed during the Sunday night match.
“We have seen in the past that Indian and Pakistani players have been treated harshly by the FIH. So, I am not surprised by their decision,” Zafar, a government nominee on the national selection committee, said on the sidelines of the World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Monday.
“It was surprising to see that even without any complaint from the on-field umpires or the Pakistani team, the tournament director took such a decision.”
Recalling an incident from the past, Zafar said: “During the 1982 World Cup in Mumbai, I gave a pass to Surinder Singh Sodhi, who scored a fantastic goal, and the umpire allowed it. But the other umpire came running from the far end and disallowed it.”
“I am not supporting what Shivendra has done. But a three-match suspension is absolutely harsh,” he said.
- Shivendra gets three-game ban, upset India appeals (Lead) - Mar 01, 2010
- Shivendra livid, determined to perform on return - Mar 02, 2010
- Hockey Federation reduces Shivendra Singh's three-match ban to two (update) - Mar 02, 2010
- Hockey Federation reduces Shivendra Singh's three-match ban to two - Mar 02, 2010
- Final decision on Shivendra Singh to be taken today - Mar 02, 2010
- Coach Brasa calls Shivendra's three-match ban harsh - Mar 01, 2010
- Shivendra suspended for three World Cup matches - Mar 01, 2010
- Shocked to learn about Shivendra's ban: Sohail Abbas - Mar 03, 2010
- Shivendra case: No-one to speak up for India (Comment) - Mar 02, 2010
- FIH denies being harsh on Asian players - Mar 02, 2010
- Shivendra Singh suspended for three World Cup hockey matches - Mar 01, 2010
- Shivendra's suspension reduced to two matches on appeal (Second Lead) - Mar 02, 2010
- FIH to continue with video umpire referrals in World Cup - Feb 12, 2010
- FIH should review video referral system, says Charlesworth - Mar 06, 2010
- Shivendra Singh's suspension reduced to two matches - Mar 02, 2010
Tags: ahmed, asian players, dhyan chand, fareed, fih, harsh treatment, international hockey federation, march 1, match, mumbai, national selection committee, New Delhi, sidelines, surinder singh sodhi, tournament director, umpire, umpires, winning team, world cup, zafar iqbal