Hockey India has lodged a formal complaint regarding the officiating and decision-making during the India vs Great Britain men’s hockey quarter-final at the Paris Olympics. The complaint highlights several inconsistencies that potentially influenced the outcome of the match.
One major issue raised is the inconsistent use of video umpire reviews. In particular, the red card decision against Indian defender Amit Rohidas has raised concerns. The video umpire deemed the incident as “intentional,” but many believe a yellow card would have been sufficient. This inconsistency has eroded trust in the video review system.
Another incident occurred during the penalty shoot-out. India’s Sukhjeet Singh was preparing to take a penalty stroke when the British goalkeeper was seen using a tablet. The on-field umpires had to stop proceedings, further undermining confidence in the officiating process.
Hockey India has called for a thorough review of these matters to ensure fair play and uphold the integrity of the sport. The complaint also highlights the coaching of a goalkeeper from behind the goalpost during the shoot-out, which is against the rules.
India’s star defender Amit Rohidas was given a red card in the 17th minute for hitting an opposition player with his stick. The video umpire deemed it as “intentional,” which many believe was a harsh decision. Reduced to 10 men, India faced an uphill battle.
Despite the adversity, India managed to escape without conceding a goal. Goalkeeper Sreejesh played a crucial role, blocking two penalty strokes. India eventually won the match 4-2 in the shoot-out.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh praised his team’s resilience and communication. He emphasized the importance of forgetting the red card and moving forward. India will now face Australia in the semi-finals.
