Two Indian players let-off with a suspension in Olympic qualifiers

Three players including two Indian were summoned to hearings by the Tournament Director Willard P. Harris and later reprimanded for their appalling on-field behaviour after the intense match played between India and Great Britain on Thursday, in which the latter had the last laugh.

All three players, in presence of their team representatives, were strongly reprimanded for their actions. They were further advised that any further similar occurrence would result in a suspension.

There were some boil over moments during the crucial Olympic Qualifier match in Santiago, Chile between the players of the teams, including some verbal exchanges and body tackles, that later came quite evident after the review of the video footage of the incidents by the Tournament Director.

Indian team management must have got a great respite after their two players Vickram Kanth and Gurbaz Singh were let off only with a warning ahead of their crucial qualifying match against host Chile, a virtual semifinal, to secure the berth for the finals. The champion team will get the Olympic ticket to Beijing.

India, who has a glorious past in Olympic history, has never ever missed an Olympics since their debut in 1928. A defeat to Chile will almost certainly knock them out of contention.

Indian player Vickram Kanth was shown a yellow card in the 6th minute of play and was further charged for deliberately using his elbow against a British player after the review of the video footage of the incident.

British player Simon Mantell was similarly found in an incident, as he was also charged for using abusive language and making gestures to the Indian player.

Another Indian player Gurbaz Singh was involved in a fracas in the 56th minute of play, as he was charged for deliberately following through with his stick striking a British player in the mouth.

"The encounter was feisty, but our boys kept their cool and maintained discipline throughout and got on with the game," said Great Britain team manager Pete Nicholson after the match.

Indian Chief coach Joaquim Carvalho also put blame on his player’s temperamental behaviour that cost them the match.