Playing in WSH will result in suspension, warns FIH president

International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre has served a direct warning to players looking to participate in the World Series Hockey (WSH). Negre has said players aligning with WSH will be suspended from international matches.

The tournament, an initiative by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), has been in the centre of the ‘club vs country’ controversy that has divided the hockey fraternity. The entire Indian squad has signed a contract to play in the inaugural edition of the league, which begins on December 17. Negre has made it clear that any Indian player who participates in the rebel league will be banned from the crucial Olympic qualifiers and all FIH tournaments.

“I have very high reservations about players taking part in the WSH. We have, what you call, the sanctioned and unsanctioned events. The WSH is an event that is not sanctioned by us and hence, any player participating in it will be banned from international tournaments,” Negre told DNA from Lausanne.

Asked specifically about the Indian players, the Spanish administrator said, “I am sure Hockey India will not allow them in the team. As far as we are concerned, the Indian players will not be allowed to take part in the Olympic qualifiers.”

It is learnt Hockey India has organised a preparatory camp for the qualifiers, which will be held in New Delhi in February next year. The WSH will be held around the same time. In such a scenario, the players will have to choose between attending the camp and playing in the league.

Meanwhile, Negre expressed satisfaction over the efforts of Hockey India, sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association to resolve the crisis that have marred the governance of the game. “We will continue to recognise Hockey India. We do not have a problem if a few IHF members are elected on the Hockey India board,” Negre said.