IHF awaits PHL report on Sher's onfield behaviour

Chandigarh, Mar 9 (UNI) The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) is awaiting the report of the third Premier Hockey League (PHL) Tournament Director, Shakeel Qureshi on the ugly incident in which international umpire Satinder Sharma was roughed up by the Sher-e-Jalandhar players in the deciding match of the best-of-three finals against Orissa Steelers on March 5 in the PHL at the Sector 42 Stadium here.

The IHF had already deducted 50 per cent of the prize money of Rs 15 lakh which the Sher's got in their capacity as runners-up of the tournament.

Satinder Sharma, an officer in State Bank of India, had to rush to the technical table after he was manhandled by the Jalandhar players in the 54th minute of play. Fearing further physical assault, Satinder did not officiate in the remaining 16 minutes of the match and reverse umpire Suresh Kumar substituted for him.

The avoidable incident held up play for 26 minutes amidst high-tension drama. Determined to take stern action against those directly involved in the incident, a spokesman of the IHF said today ''after receiving the report from Qureshi the federation will determine the quantum of punishment and no offender will be spared''.

The punishment as per IHF and international rules could be three to four years suspension of the players directly involved in the incident. The IHF spokesman did not rule out suspension of the entire team from the fourth edition of the PHL.

The suspension of the team from the fourth edition would depend on the Qureshi's report.

According to the IHF sources Sher's goalkeeper Kamaldeep Singh, Tejbir Singh, captain Kanwalpreet Singh and second goalkeeper Maninder Singh are likely to face three to four years ban 'for their gross misbehaviour'' after a penalty corner award and Orissa Steelers skipper Dilip Tirkey converting it for the match-winner.

This goal was worth Rs 40 lakh as steely Steelers won by 4-3 in the deciding third final.

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