Pak coach Sheikh was not happy with HI’s handling of the ‘celebration incident’. (Source: PTI) Pak coach Sheikh was not happy with HI’s handling of the ‘celebration incident’. (Source: PTI)

Days after tendering a written unconditional apology, chief coach of the Pakistan hockey team Shahnaz Sheikh has claimed that it was forced upon him by Hockey India and International Hockey Federation (FIH) after spending ‘tough hours’ with them. He also called on the other nations to ‘unite against the overbearing attitude of India in world hockey and how they were trying to influence the game.’

Sheikh further alleged that the entire episode was a ‘conspiracy’ to ensure Pakistan did not beat Germany in the Champions Trophy final last Sunday in Bhubaneswar.

“What happened in Bhubaneswar was a conspiracy against our team, a clear case of victimisation where an apology was forced upon us which I submitted in the interest of Pakistan hockey,” he told the Associated Press of Pakistan in an interview.

Shahnaz strongly defended his players for their post-match celebrations and added that a non-issue was blown out of proportions to victimise Pakistan players. After beating India 4-3 in an epic semifinal clash in front of a packed Kalinga Stadium, the Pakistani players indulged in lewd celebrations. Sheikh ran on the pitch and slapped his second goalkeeper Amjad Ali while ordering the rest of the team to leave the field.

The FIH, after initially not imposing any sanctions on them, suspended Ali and midfielder Muhammad Tousik while reprimanding Shafqat Rasool. However, they acted only after Hockey India threatened not to host any international tournaments in the future. Sheikh said he was given a ‘tough time’ by Hockey India and FIH officials during the hearing, and accused them of using ‘pressure tactics’ to force an apology out of him.

“Whatever happened after the semifinal naturally played on the minds of our players in the final against the Germans,” he said.

Pakistan lost the final 2-0, eventually settling for the silver. Sheikh said the goal-scoring celebrations have been the part of the game the world over and his players were unnecessarily punished by the FIH. He also expressed hope that the cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will take up the matter seriously with FIH for the biased treatment meted out to the national team.

Sheikh also alleged that his team was not provided any security by the Indian officials when they travelled from New Delhi to Amritsar. “Treatment of the Indian officials at the Attari Border was also not courteous, which was very disappointing. Travelling without any security could have caused any mishap. But luckily the team arrived safely back in Lahore,” he said.

Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said the coach’s opinion did not count for much and unless the PHF president gives a written apology, they will not play bilateral or trilateral series with them.

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