08-Feb-2012
The News
KARACHI: Ahmed Alam, the tournament director of 59th National Hockey Championship, on Tuesday suspended Pakistan Air Force coach Abdul Rauf Ahmed Khan for three matches and manager Saeed Shah for one match for charges of failing to control their team’s behaviour during their match against Habib Bank Limited (HBL).
HBL won the match 4-3 controversially as they were openly supported by umpire Hanif, who hails from Karachi, on two occasions and that too wrongly.PAF were denied a field goal in 40th minute despite first umpire Anwar judging it as a clean goal but second umpire Hanif interfered to convince his partner to change his decision.
The teams were level on 3-3 when in the 68th minute HBL scored a dubious winner through Mohammad Ehsan through a penalty corner. The ball struck the shoulder of PAF’s defender Asif Manzoor and went into the net. Shockingly it was adjudged as a goal instead of being a foul in spite of the dangerous nature of the strike.
PAF players protested against biased umpiring but jury officials stepped into the field and warned PAF with a walkover against them. As the final whistle blew, PAF players and officials clapped at the umpires taunting them for biased umpiring.
This gesture did not go down well with Alam and he later suspended PAF manager and coach. An official statement was issued to the guilty party by the tournament director and its photocopy was received by ‘The News’ which told the PAF manager: “You have failed to maintain discipline during and after the match against HBL. Your coach Abdul Rauf led his side to clap against umpires, an act which was entirely against the code of conduct.
“It is to inform you that you have been suspended for one match while your coach is suspended for three matches (suspension will be active for forthcoming competition).The letter added that if PAF will be found involved again in any misconduct in their remaining matches of the event then serious action will be taken against them.
Meanwhile, PAF coach Rauf Khan claimed that Alam has no right to ban him and he can only punish the manager for any offence. Khan said: “The umpiring was totally biased and national championships are not conducted in this manner. People sitting at the helm should take notice of the fact open favours are being given to teams.
Meanwhile, PAF team management also complained that the tournament director is not coordinating with them on their protest against HBL’s Rizwan Khan. They claimed that the player is over-30 years of age and according to rules of the event, tournament director should provide NIC no. or a Photostat of NIC of any player again whom any protest is lodged.
However, according to them Alam has said that he will not provide any details regarding Rizwan and will launch an enquiry himself and whatever would be the result he will tell PAF.
PHF Academy, who are yet to open their account, have already been relegated while one of HBL (7), Navy (7) and PAF (6) will join them depending on the results of their last matches.
Meanwhile, defending champions National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) were dethroned as SSGC beat them 2-1 to knock out their opponents from the race for a top-four finish.
Usman Tariq drew first blood for SSGC in 10th but NBP, who were playing a do-or-die match, equalised in 23rd minute.
The second-half was an intense affair with both teams pressing for the winner which was ultimately clinched by SSGC skipper Shakil Abbasi after the ball fell to him from a heavy deflection and he made no mistake dispatching it into the net.
In other matches, WAPDA defeated PHF Academy 4-1 while Army and Navy played out a 1-1 draw. Army ended in third position with 19 points from nine matches. At the top both PIA (20) and WAPDA (19) have played eight matches and the final standings and semifinal lineup will become clear on Wednesday (today). |
