Decision in the Hearing relating to breach of Rule 4.2 of the Rules of Hockey 2009 by Irfan Muhammad in match Pakistan v India 28th February 2010 World Cup.

Irfan wore a long gauntlet type glove and a knee pad to defend the first penalty corner. In the Pakistan equipment bag behind the goal was the pair for each of these. These were all removed by the TD immediately after Irfan was seen to be wearing the equipment.

The Pakistan Manager Asif Bajwa was invited to a hearing to explain what had occurred.

It was put to Asif Bajwa that at the Champions Challenge in Salta the same or similar equipment was used without permission and that he had been warned as to this by the TD Mr Sanderson without having attended a formal hearing. He agreed with this. The blog created for the teams for this event displayed glove #4 as illegal. It is almost identical to this glove. It is the same brand. Asif Bajwa agreed that he had seen this blog.

At the Manager’s meeting for this event it was explained that there would be zero tolerance for the wearing of any equipment not approved. Asif admitted that the equipment worn by Irfan was not taken by the Pakistan team to the equipment meeting and accordingly was not approved. Had it been it would not have been approved.

Irfan was called to the hearing. He agreed that he had worn the equipment. He said that he had not been instructed not to use the equipment. He said that he now knows that he is not to use it and will not use it again.

Asif Bajwa agreed that there was guilt and apologised and stated that it would not happen again. He also said it was not the intention. The equipment was taken to the ground as a mistake and he used it by a mistake. He admitted that In Salta the team did not know that the team could not use this kind of equipment. It was a different player who used it in Salta.

Asif Bajwa concluded by asking me to take into account the behaviour of the Pakistan team during the game with no cards in the game and no umpire disputes and compliance with all other uniform. It is agreed that the behaviour was excellent.

Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010

Decision I have considered all that has been put to me and agreed to at the hearing. The breach was clear and without excuse other than mistake. Clearly the message conveyed to the Managers and Coaches by the TD must be conveyed to the players. In the circumstances, having particular regard to the behaviour of the Pakistan team throughout the match particularly after an incident in the 39th minute (the subject of another hearing), I have decided the following penalties to be appropriate: Irfan Muhammad is suspended for the match Pakistan v Spain 2nd March 2010.

Asif Bajwa is severely reprimanded.

Ken Read, Tournament Director
Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010