Sardar Singh Wants Pakistan Players to Apologise For Misbehaving During Champions Trophy
Indian hockey team captain Sardar Singh said Pakistan players should not be allowed in the Hockey India League until they apologise for their misbehaviour in 2014 Champions Trophy semifinal in Bhubaneswar
Indian hockey team skipper Sardar Singh on Thursday asked Pakistan players to apologise for their "unacceptable" behaviour during the Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar in December 2014, backing Hockey India's stand of not allowing the stars from across the border to play in Hockey India League (HIL). (Hockey Champions Trophy: Pakistan Players Taunt Fans After Defeating India)
"Pakistani players are suffering a lot but what they did during the 2014 Champions Trophy was unacceptable. They still haven't apologised for their behaviour, so I feel they shouldn't be allowed (to participate in HIL) ," Sardar said. (Hockey India League: Would Love to Have Pakistani Players, but Not With Bad Behaviour, Says Narinder Batra)
© PTI
Nine Pakistani players were part of the first edition of the HIL in 2013 but were forced to leave the country before the start of the tournament following protests from a few political organisations. Since then no Pakistan player has been included in the last three three editions. (Pakistan 'celebrations' in pictures)
The coming edition of HIL also doesn't feature a single Pakistani player and Hockey India made it clear that in future, too, they will not be considered until they apologise for their unruly behaviour in Bhubaneswar.