Champions Trophy 2014 Hockey: No Action against Pakistan Players, Say FIH

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) said that there will be no further action against Pakistan players after their coach tendered an apology for wild celebrations after their win against India in the hockey Champions Trophy semifinal at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar.

"Shahnaz Sheikh (Pakistan coach) has apologised and assured me that this behaviour will not occur again. Given these matters, I've decided that no further action is warranted," said a release of Wiert Doyer, tournament director of the Hockey Champions Trophy.

After beating India 4-3, the Pakistan players celebrated removing their shirts while some players made unruly gestures towards the crowd.

The FIH had ordered a probe against the behaviour of the Pakistan players after the game.

"I have spoken to the head coach of the Pakistan team, Shahnaz Sheikh and told him that the behaviour of Pakistan players went beyond what is acceptable to standards of the FIH," said the release.

"The behaviour in question concerned many members of the Pakistan team. It is difficult to find any particular miscreant, and it is possible that the behaviour of the players may have been a reaction."

Earlier, Indian coach Roelant Oltmans had disapproved of the behaviour of the players representing Pakistan. "The celebration looks little bit too much," he said.

Indian captain Sardar Singh said such things give a wrong message to hockey, which should not have happened in a stadium filled with people.

However, Shahnaz apologised for the unruly behaviour.

"I tender my apology for what happened after the game," said the coach before leaving a press conference. He did not take any further question over the matter and left the conference abruptly.