Hockey Champions Trophy: Pakistan Players Taunt Fans After Defeating India

Pakistan hockey players gesticulated and made ugly signs towards fans after defeating India 4-3 at Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium on Saturday night. In a highly-charged semifinal match of Champions Trophy, the visiting side carved out a win courtesy a goal in the dying minutes. (Match report | Match highlights)

The men in green rushed to celebrate once the final hooter was sounded. They, however, soon took of their jerseys and were seen gesturing towards the spectators. Many had their fingers to their lips as the stunned crowd watched on in silence. Head coach of the team Shahnaz Sheikh later apologised for the incident in an unusually short post-match press conference. (Pakistan's ugly celebration in pics)

Tournament director Wiert Doyer also issued a statement after the match. He said that while the 'behaviour of Pakistan players went beyond what is acceptable to standards of the FIH', no further action would be taken. "Mr Shahnaz Sheikh has apologised and assured me that this behaviour will not occur again. Given these matters, I've decided that no further action is warranted," said Doyer. (Read more: FIH regrets Pakistan's celebration but says no further action)

Hockey India chief Narinder Batra though took a stern view of the matter. (Read: Batra fumes, warns FIH India won't host tournaments if Pakistan escape unpunished)

Hurt after their 2014 Asian Games defeat when India won the final, Pakistan extracted revenge on Saturday.

Any sporting encounter between India and Pakistan usually turns out to be high-tension affair. In recent times though, players on either side have controlled their emotions irrespective of a win or defeat. In Incheon, there were more Pakistani fans than Indians but after Sardar Singh's team won the gold, there were no unruly celebrations targeted at Pakistani fans.