New Delhi:
In a shocking case of indiscipline, players of Punjab Police and Punjab National Bank hockey teams on Monday indulged in an ugly fight during the final of the 56th Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey tournament. The players exchanged blows and fought with hockey sticks on the turf, prompting the organisers to impose ban on both sides.
The brawl between the players of Punjab Police and Punjab National Bank teams started during the third quarter of the match when both teams were locked at 3-3 at the time. The players were pacified by the officials. The match resumed after a brief interruption with eight players on each side after three players from both the teams were shown red cards.
Besides the players, the manager of Punjab Police hockey team was also shown the red card for instigating the players. Dismayed and disturbed by the incident, the managing committee of the Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament Society decided to impose bans on both the teams. "It is therefore decided to suspend both the teams from participating in the tournament. Punjab Police has been suspended for a period of four years while PNB has been banned for two years," the organisers said in a statement.
Following the embarrassing incident, Hockey India sought a detailed report from its Tournament Director, Mahesh Kumar and vowed to take strict action against the accused players. "We are waiting for the official report from the tournament officials and on its basis Hockey India will take necessary action," HI CEO Elena Norman said.
#WATCH Delhi: Scuffle broke out between Punjab Police Hockey & Punjab National Bank Hockey teams during Nehru Cup finals. Elena Norman, Hockey India CEO says, "We're awaiting official report from Tournament officials, based on which Hockey India will take necessary action." pic.twitter.com/Yz3LAtGPl7
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019
