Hockey World Cup | Blaming umpires after losing game is unacceptable, asserts Thierry Weil
FIH CEO Thierry Weil has stated that teams should move-on after losing a match and blaming the match officials is not the right thing to do. The Indians lost the quarterfinal against the Netherlands and the coach and captain had blamed the match umpires at the post-match conference.
Indian Hockey team’s wait for a World Cup medal was extended after they lost their quarterfinal encounter against Holland 1-2 in a close encounter on December 13. After the match, the Indian team coach Harendra Singh and the captain Manpreet Singh had shown displeasure and said that the umpires officiating the match were biased against the Indians.Â
"It is not acceptable by the FIH if they blame umpires. We will not review anything, what we will review is comments and blames made against the umpires. That is not acceptable. Respect has to be there. If you lose, you have to accept it and look forward," Weil said sternly, reported TOI.Â
Along with Weil was Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra who chose to weigh his words carefully and supported Weil in what he said. He also added that he will share his views on the matter when he goes to Delhi.
"I have to follow certain protocols as the FIH president. I have my strong views on this kind of behaviour. A sport has to be played in the right spirit," Batra said.
"I am here till the 17th (of December) attending to the World Cup. After that (I will be) in Delhi and do intend to speak on it as the NOC president post the 17th. Here, I leave it to what Thierry has said."Â