No action against Pakistan players’ misconduct in India semi-final: FIH

BHUBANESWAR: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) said no action was needed against the misconduct of Pakistani players during their celebrations after winning a nail-biting Champions Trophy semi-final against India on Saturday.

After comprehensively winning the game 4-3, Pakistani players removed their shirts, started dancing in jubilation, and raised obscene gestures towards the crowd.

The FIH statement, as reported by Indian media, comes as Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh had tendered an apology for wild celebrations by the players following their win which knocked out host India from the tournament.

“Shahnaz Sheikh has apologised and assured me that such behaviour will not occur again,” said a press statement by Wiert Doyer, tournament director of the Champions Trophy.

Initially, FIH had hinted of a possible action against the Pakistani team but matters were resolved after Sheikh’s apology.