In welcome relief for former captains Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) decided against banning the individuals for featuring in the unsanctioned World Series Hockey (WSH).
Instead, the PHF has imposed fines on the duo as well as six other players who took part in the Indian tournament. The development has improved Butt and Abbasi’s chances of featuring in this year’s London Olympics as both are part of the preliminary squad.
While they may have escaped the bans, the pair will pay a hefty fine of Rs1 million each while the rest of the players – Waseem Ahmed, Zeeshan Ashraf, Shakeel Abbasi, Imran Warsi, Adnan Maqsood, Tariq Aziz and Mudassar Ali Khan – were handed a penalty of Rs250,000 each.
“Abbasi and Butt have been fined more because they preferred money over the national team,” a PHF official told The Express Tribune.
“Both were probables for the Olympics squad but they still preferred the cash-rich league which doesn’t keep in line with the national team’s interest.”
The official added that the decision was made after recommendations from the PHF’s disciplinary committee in the light of instructions by the World Hockey Federation (FIH).
“The players will have to face a year-long ban from domestic and international hockey if they fail to pay the fine.”
The players have been given seven days to appeal, added the official.
The disciplinary committee, headed by Wasay Jalil, had heard the players’ version in a hearing on May 7.
The players maintained that they signed up for the league before March 31 last year – the league was declared unauthorised after that. The maximum penalty for featuring in the league could have been a ban for two years.
‘Players to appeal against ban’
Meanwhile, Butt, while appreciating the PHF’s move, said it will be difficult to pay the fine.
“I will request the PHF President Qasim Zia that, being a hockey player who doesn’t earn much, it will be very hard for me to come up with that amount,” said the former captain. “I will follow the proper process and file the appeal in time.”
Abbasi said that he will make a decision after consultation.
“I’m happy at being cleared but as far as the appeal is concerned I will take time before deciding my course of action.”
Another player claimed that all the eight fined members have decided to appeal.
Chief selector content with decision
PHF chief selector Hanif Khan welcomed the decision, saying that Pakistan will now have more options as Butt and Abbasi were cleared.
“We’ll definitely consider them for the Europe tour after getting the final say from the PHF. It’s good news because there’s no substitute for experience. Their presence will increase our bench strength but we’ll have to check their fitness before the selection.”
Rehan Butt
“I will request the PHF President Qasim that, being a hockey player who doesn’t earn much, it will be very hard for me to come up with that amount. I’ll file the appeal within the stipulated time.”
Hanif Khan
“We’ll definitely consider them for the Europe tour after getting the final say from the PHF. It’s good news because there’s no substitute for experience. Their presence will increase our bench strength.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2012.
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Why impose fines The Hockey federation is corrupt