April 19, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 20, 1427

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LAHORE, Apr 18: The Arbitration Commission of International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce its decision on three-match suspension of temperamental Pakistan hockey captain Mohammad Saqlain within a week.

“The Commission will be announcing its decision in a week,” a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official said.

The midfielder, who has a history of indiscipline and misconduct, was banned and slapped a 1000-euro fine by judicial commission of International Hockey Federation (FIH) commission for hitting Australia’s Victory Craig during Hamburg Masters final last year.

PHF challenged the decision in the Arbitration Commission of the IOC which suspended the punishment, allowing the player to take part in the Champions Trophy last December in India.

The Commission heard PHF’s version over the incident. The Commission also watched the match in which incident took place and reviewed reports of umpires and other officials of the tournament.

Saqlain was sent home for misconduct shortly before 2000 Sydney Olympics and then from 2004 Athens Olypmiad for hitting team-mate Adnan Maqsood during a session. He was also suspended last year for hitting a South Korean player during an Azlan Shah Cup match in Kuala Lumpur.—APP