Pakistan jolted before Champions Trophy hockey final, two players suspended
Pakistan jolted before Champions Trophy hockey final, two players suspended
For their obscene gestures after beating India in the semis on Saturday, FIH banned Mohd Tousiq and Amjad Ali for the final while reprimanding Shafqat Rasool.

After strong objection by Hockey India to FIH's initial inaction against Pakistan team for their obscene gestures following the semi-final win on Saturday, the world hockey body suspended Muhammad Tousiq and Amjad Ali for one match while reprimanding Shafqat Rasool before their Champions Trophy final against Germany later in the evening.

The decision means Tousiq and Ali will not be available for the final.

Tousiq, the FIH statement said, was clearly seen "raising the middle finger to spectators on the stands" that breached the Level 1 of FIH's Code of Conduct and invited a one-match suspension. Tousiq accepted the breach.

Ali was found guilty of a similar offence and was also suspended for the final against Germany.

Meanwhile, Shafqat Rasool escaped with an "Official Reprimand"; however, his actions too were found in breach of Level 1 and no further clarification was given as to why Rasool didn't get a one-match suspension as well.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan coach Shehnaz Sheikh had issued an official apology to Hockey India and the fans in the country.

The developments on a busy day for FIH happened after Hockey India President Narinder Batra reacted strongly to FIH's initial statement that "no further action is warranted" against the Pakistan players, who showed middle finger towards the crowd and made lewd remarks after their 4-3 win over India.

Batra threatened to sever all bilateral hockey ties with Pakistan unless the PHF issued an "unconditional apology" and the FIH took some action against the guilty players.

Here's the official FIH statement on the action against each of the aforementioned players:

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