Indian protest bares skeletons

The tournament jury seemed to be in a fix when India filed an appeal against the video umpire’s decision to re-take the second attempt in the shootout.

 

It took the jury multiple replays to find a way out of the embarrassing situation that kept the result pending. 

The medal presentation was then staged in the media interview room, away from the spotlight in the middle of the pitch. 

“The umpires have failed,” said Narender Batra, President of Hockey India, who vehemently protested from the VIP galleries. 

“The shootout attempt went on for over 14 seconds, and then it was re-taken. Just to cover up their shortcomings, they are now pointing out at a different incident,” he said.

“If the goalkeeper had made an infringement, that a penalty stroke should have been awarded,” Batra emphasised.

Indian coach Roelant Oltmans said it was “an unusual end to the tournament”. 

“To be honest, the set process should be followed. Our protest was not about the result, but important tournaments should follow the process,” said Oltmans.

“If something like this happens at the Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro just imagine the embarrassment for the game,” he said.