On Saturday afternoon, International Hockey Federation (FIH) summoned head coach of Indian hockey team Harendra Singh, seeking an explanation over his comments questioning the umpiring standards after India's loss to Netherlands in the quarter-final of the Men's Hockey World Cup.
Not only is he set to face censure over his comments from the FIH , it appears his views on the same have not gone down well with Hockey India either.
N.K. Batra , FIH president, when asked about umpiring issues raised by the India coach, made his anger over these comments apparent. “I have my strong views on this kind of behaviour. A sport has to be played in the right spirit. I am saying you (Singh) are being unfair to people on the ground. Sometimes umpires themselves ask for referrals. Other games have also adopted (video referrals). They have only two eyes. They are doing a thankless job. They will get criticised by anybody who loses. Be graceful whether you win or lose. Finding fault is very easy. You should rather appreciate and respect.”
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These are not good signs for Singh as far as his continuation as India's head coach is concerned. His contract was till the world cup and his continuation is up in the air. After India failed to defend its title in the Asian Games, Singh as under pressure to take the team to a podium finish at the World Cup at home. Indian Hockey administrators' penchant to sack coaches is a stuff of legend in world hockey.
The team may have lost to Holland in the quarter-finals, but has been appreciated for its overall performance at the games with hockey experts both at home and outside saying this particular squad holds a lot of promises at big ticket events in the future and also gave Singh full marks for his coaching abilities.
Thierry Weil, FIH CEO, tried to look at the issue from a slightly more sympathetic view terming Singh's comments an emotional reaction to losing the match, but also gave a gentle rebuke saying he lacked sportsman's spirit. “I think the beauty of sports is that you have a winner and a loser. The day you win, you are happy. The day you lose, you are sad, which I understand. Even Argentina team cried on the bench. Respect in fair play is such a nice thing. When you lose, what you have to do? You have to look forward to play better and win next time. To blame umpires is not the hockey style. I would just recommend (that) and definitely say umpires have a tough job, decision to be made within seconds. It (questioning umpires) is not acceptable. We will not review anything. What we will review is complaints made against the umpires. That is not acceptable. If you lose, you have to accept it and look forward.”
An FIH decision on Singh's hearing is expected later in the evening after the first semi-final between Belgium and England is over.