LAHORE, Dec 10: International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Friday defended it after the player of the year award controversy, saying the system was "transparent" but failed to convince why criteria should not be changed.

"I think there should be no confusion regrading the voting of the player of the year award. We have a system for that which I believe is perfect. "The players were nominated by a group of expert coaches and journalists and the players participating in the Champions Trophy voted for Jamie (Dwyer).

Players are not silly they know who they should vote. And they voted for Jamie despite he did not play at qualifiers and the Trophy which suggests how deserving he was," FIH president Els van Breda told a press conference.

Thursday's award ceremony was marred by a controversy after Australia's Jamie Dywer was announced as World Hockey player of the year, although he neither played at Olympic qualifiers in Madrid nor appearing in ongoing Champions Trophy.

The criteria to vote for the player was the performance of the nominated players at qualifiers, Olympics and Champions Trophy. "Sohail (Abbas) is a wonderful player, a very nice person. But we should realise if he scores the goal, then there is also goalkeepers who save them," she responded when asked why Sohail was ignored despite becoming highest scorer in the world.

Asked why three Australians were included in the panel of judges instead of having representation from others countries also, Breda said it was because of the Aussies knowledge and the fact that they travelled frequently to watch hockey.

Australian legends Ric Charles worth and Terry Walsh were in the penal of expert coaches, while Bruce Hamilton was the Aussie journalist. Asked who select the panel of judges for nomination, FIH boss said it was done by FIH communications committee.

Breda was, however, unconvincing when asked was there a need to change system of constituting panel of judges for nominations, saying there was nothing wrong and there was no need for a change.

Asked whether FIH was considering for the third umpire, she said experiments were in progress and a camera might be installed decide close calls. "We have been working on to make things clear during major tournaments by installing a camera as a third source to take decisions. But that camera has $50,000 worth which, at the moment, is quite an expensive affair," she said.