Hockey India issues statement about Amit Rohidas' red card, umpiring in Great Britain match at Paris Olympics

India won the match in the penalty shootout.

Hockey India has officially raised concerns about the quality of umpiring at Paris Olympics 2024, following a contentious quarter-final match between India and Great Britain. The national governing body’s statement highlights several issues that potentially influenced the game’s outcome, calling into question the integrity of officiating at the highest level of the sport.

Central to Hockey India’s complaint is the controversial red card issued to defender Amit Rohidas in the second quarter of India vs Great Britain match. The incident occurred when Rohidas, while in possession of the ball, had his stick make contact with a British player’s face. After video review, the umpires deemed the action intentional, resulting in Rohidas’ dismissal from the game.

This decision left India a player short for a significant portion of the match, severely impacting their strategy and performance.

Hockey India argues that the video umpire’s review process was inconsistent and flawed, eroding trust in the system designed to ensure fair play. The organization contends that the decision failed to consider the full context of the play, potentially misinterpreting Rohidas’ actions.

Also Read: Hockey at Paris Olympics 2024: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

Furthermore, the complaint addresses two additional issues observed during the critical shoot-out phase:

1. Alleged coaching of the British goalkeeper from behind the goal post, a practice explicitly prohibited by tournament rules.
2. The use of a video tablet by the goalkeeper during the shoot-out, raising questions about potential unfair advantages.

Despite these challenges, India managed to secure a victory in the shoot-out, with goalkeeper PR Sreejesh delivering a commendable performance. However, Hockey India emphasizes that these officiating inconsistencies undermine confidence in the sport’s governance and potentially compromise the fairness of competition.

The organization has called for a thorough review of these matters, aiming to uphold the sport’s integrity and ensure equitable conditions for all teams in future matches.

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