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NEW DELHI: As Hockey India League (HIL) prepares for the 2016 season, the president of the country's national federation, Narendra Batra, said the tournament would be off-limits for Pakistani players until the Greenshirts apologise for their misconduct in the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.
“I would love to have Pakistan players but not with the kind of behavior they displayed in the Champions Trophy. And they have shown no regret of that incident in writing or otherwise. I don’t want to politicise the issue but that kind of behavior was unacceptable. Least we need an apology from them,” Hockey India chief Batra told Press Trust of India.
Pakistan Hockey team coach's statement issued to Indian Media
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on December 14, 2014 put aban on two Pakistani players for one match each, in the aftermath of Pakistan’s victory over India in the Champions Trophy semi-final.
After winning the game 4-3 in a pulsating encounter, several Pakistani players removed their shirts, danced in jubilation, and raised obscene gestures towards the crowd.
Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh had apologised to the public and the country's federation after the actions of his players caused an outrage in India and the team even came out with flowers for the public before the start of the final against Australia.
“Shahnaz Sheikh has apologised and assured me that such behaviour will not occur again,” said a press statement by Wiert Doyer, tournament director of the Champions Trophy.
“Matters seemed to have been resolved after Sheikh’s apology, even though the FIH had hinted of possible action against the Pakistani team.”
http://www.dawn.com/news/1206932/no-pakistani-players-in-league-without-apology-hockey-india