ROTTERDAM, June 28: Barry Anderson, tournament director of the men’s field hockey Champions Trophy, has suspended Germany’s Sebastian Biederlack and Australia’s Desmond Abbott for the last round robin matches on Saturday.

Australia play Netherlands and Germany play Spain on Saturday.

Germany, with four points, have no chance of making the final. Spain, with seven points, need to beat Germany to make the final and Spain will have an advantage over Germany as a result of the suspension of Beiderlack.

Australia, also on seven points, need to beat Netherlands to secure a finals place and will be disadvantaged by having one less substitute.

Anderson said: “In Thursday’s match the Germany player fouled the Australia player and pulled him to the ground and after that in a separate incident the Australia player knocked the Germany player to the ground in back play.

“I saw the incidents and reviewed the video evidence, held a hearing this morning with the individuals and listened to their defence and made a ruling that the incidents were a level 1 offence breaching the International Hockey Federation Code of Conduct.”

Anderson continued: “As a consequence, the two players are suspended for one match and both Germany and Australia will only be allowed to nominate fifteen players for their respective matches on Saturday.

“Both Australia and Germany have accepted the decision that the players breached the code of conduct and have indicated they will not appeal my decision.” — AFP