 "Amit Rohidas suspended despite appeals, to miss Olympics semi-final against Germany")
Indian hockey team defender Amit Rohidas will be unavailable for the team’s semi-final against Germany on Tuesday (August 6). Rohidas was shown a red card for dangerously lifting his stick in intentional manner during the quarter-final against Great Britain. India went on to win the match in a shoot-off after both teams were locked at 1-1.
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Rohidas was sent off in the 17th minute and India were forced to play the remaining 43 minutes with one player less. Now, India will have a reduced squad of 15 players to choose from against Germany.
The decision to keep the one match suspension was confirmed by an FIH Technical Delegate. As per rules, the footage was reviewed and the decision to keep the suspension has been upheld.
The official statement read, “On 4 August 2024, ROHIDAS Amit (player No. 30 of India) was suspended for one (1) match for a Breach of the FIH Code of Conduct which occurred during match no. M32 India v Great Britain on 4th August, 2024. The suspension affects match no. M35 on 6th August 2024, where ROHIDAS Amit will not participate, and India will play with a squad of fifteen (15) players only.”
Hockey India appealed against this ruling but the decision was not changed by the FIH Jury Bench.
Before the decision was pronounced, India chief coach Craig Fulton had said he would back Rohidas to the hilt.
“I need to look at it, speak to him. But obviously, if someone gets hit to the head, something’s wrong. But I will stand up for Amit. He’s not that kind of player.
“You’ve always got to look where there’s smoke, there’s fire. So, what happened first, for that to happen and we’ll just look to that. Not the other way,” Fulton said after India beat Great Britain.
That wasn’t the only controversy in the match. Great Britain goalkeeper Ollie Payne had his iPad removed from the pitch during the shoot-off after it emerged that he was using the device to consult notes before facing each penalty.
After a few minutes of confusion over the mysterious device, the gadget was handed over to the Great Britain assistant coach.
While it made no difference to India’s shooting, as skipper Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Rajkumar Pal scored from their attempts, Great Britain fluffed two chances to crash out of the tournament.
Conor Williamson’s reverse hit flew above, while Phil Roper took a lot of time for his aim and was easily blocked by India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. “It’s not something that we do. But I need to find out what actually happened. I don’t have all the facts,” said Fulton without making much fuss.
Hockey India officials, though, were furious but stopped short of lodging an official protest. Nevertheless, they have expressed their displeasure .
“These incidents have undermined confidence in the officiating process among players, coaches, and fans. Hockey India calls for a thorough review of these matters to uphold the integrity of the sport and ensure fair play in future matches,” an HI statement read.
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