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| June 18, 2006 | Sunday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 21, 1427 |
FIH disappointed at Asif’s allegations
KARACHI, June 17: International Hockey Federation (FIH) has reacted sharply to Pakistan coach Asif Bajwa’s allegations of bias against the ruling body of the game, while asking for an explanation from Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
It was Asif’s May 24 statement which drew attention of the FIH in which the coach had categorically alleged that it was because of FIH’s bias Mohammad Saqlain, the Pakistan captain, was slapped with a three-match suspension and a 1000-euro fine for misconduct.
Asif had blamed FIH for being biased, saying FIH had clearly stated to PHF it would not spare the midfielder.
“It was done because Craig was an Australian and so is FIH secretary-general Peter Cohen,” Asif had stated.
Temperamental half-back Saqlain, who has a history of misconduct, was banned by FIH Judicial Commission for hitting Australia’s Craig Victory which caused serious injuries to the player at last year’s Hamburg Masters.
Tournament director Alain Renaud had recommended at least a one-match ban on Saqlain, considering his responsibility as captain.
The matter was referred by Cohen to FIH Judicial Commission, which then decided to ban and fine the player after hearing PHF’s version.
PHF then opted to lodge an appeal against FIH decision at Lausanne-based International Olympic Committee (IOC) Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last December. The CAS upheld the decision taken by FIH.
Not only Saqlain was penalized, PHF was also ordered to pay 1000 euro as the expenses FIH incurred by it and by members of the FIH Judicial Commission in connection with hearing of the case.
While FIH has expressed its disappointment over Asif’s allegations, PHF has informed that the coach has denied making statement about Cohen.
“PHF has informed FIH that Asif Bajwa strenuously denies making the statement about Peter Cohen. FIH has accepted this explanation and now considers the matter closed,” FIH spokesman Matthew Slade told Dawn from Lausanne.
Although FIH official mentioned that Asif had denied comments about Cohen, he did not specifically say whether the coach had also denied accusing FIH of being biased while suspending Saqlain.
Slade, however, vehemently said PHF did accuse FIH of being biased during hearing of the appeal by PHF which was dismissed by CAS.
“Peter Cohen has no comment to make. The accusation of bias was specifically raised during Saqlain’s hearing and it was dismissed by CAS.
“It’s disappointing that the Pakistan coach has made this comment because CAS considered and then rejected this notion.
“If the Pakistan coach is making statements that are untrue and not based on any facts, we are sure the Pakistan Hockey Federation will investigate and deal with it accordingly,” said FIH official.
Interestingly, neither Asif nor PHF denied making comments about Cohen before being asked for an explanation by FIH.
Ironically, PHF has now chosen to be on defensive, it had accused FIH and its Judicial Commission of being biased at CAS hearing.
“The FIH secretary-general, being of the same nationality as Mr Victory, acted with bias and did not assess in detail whether there was a prima facie case or not and, if there was, whether there existed the possibility for an alternate solution.
“The president of the FIH Judicial Commission was of Australian nationality and had received the proposed decision of the FIH Judicial Commission for vetting of the same,” PHF had contended at CAS hearing.
In the course of hearing, PHF had withdrawn the argument that FIH Judicial Commission was biased but had maintained accusation against Cohen.
“The Panel cannot see any person having acted on behalf of FIH as having been biased. Simply being a compatriot of a person incriminated cannot suffice in itself to create a suspicion of bias,” the CAS had said while dismissing the allegations in its verdict in April.
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