In a big victory for Gurbaj Singh, the Hockey India on Saturday lifted the 9-month ban imposed on the star midfielder for groupism and creating disharmony within the team.
Harbinder Singh, who is the head of Hockey India's disciplinary committee, made the announcement at a press conference in Delhi.
"Keeping the Olympics in mind, we have lifted the ban on Gurbaj. We wanted to give a strong message to the team with this ban. Players should be disciplined and Gurbaj incident will give a strong message to the team. If this incident will happen again, we will take strict action," said Harbinder.
The decision comes after the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday termed the sanction "illegal" and quashed it with immediate effect. The Court, while quashing the ban, gave Hockey India a week's time to convene another meeting and decide if they want to impose a punishment as per Level 1, 2 or 3.
Harbinder also made it clear that there was no pressure from the court. "The Hockey India took the decision. Gurbaj should be a role model for the team. If he performs, he will play in the Rio Olympics.
"Gurbaj is a star player and the team needs him. We need 16 players for Rio Olympics and we hope to see Gurbaj in the team. The selection committee will decide on Gurbaj's selection and it has nothing to do with the ban," added Harbinder.
Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain has said that the ban doesn't commensurate to Hockey India's Players Code of Conduct that allows a maximum of Level 3 offence for charges of 'misbehaviour', which is suspension of 5 or more matches.
Gurbaj has already missed 11 international games since the ban was imposed on him two months back.
Gurbaj was banned after former national coach Jude Felix submitted a report to the federation soon after the Hockey World League semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium, alleging the veteran player of misbehaving and being undisciplined.
Gurbaj then appealed against the findings and the matter was heard by a HI committee comprising president Narinder Batra, CEO Elena Norman, Harbinder Singh and RP Singh.
However, they were not convinced by the clarification offered by the player.
Comments
0 comment