Hockey World Cup: Indian team's comments against umpires not acceptable, says FIH CEO

BHUBANESWAR: There could be trouble brewing for the Indian team after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) CEO, Thierry Weil, said here on Saturday that the questions raised by the Indian coach and captain after losing the World Cup quarter-finals are not "acceptable".
India made a painful exit from the tournament after the Netherlands defeated the hosts in a close 2-1 finish on Thursday.After the match, India's coach Harendra Singh and captain Manpreet Singh blamed the umpires for some of the decisions that -- in their opinion -- cost them the match.
READ ALSO: Harendra questions umpiring, Dutch coach surprised
"It is not acceptable by the FIH if they blame umpires. We will not review anything, what we will review is comments and blames made against the umpires. That is not acceptable. Respect has to be there. If you lose, you have to accept it and look forward," Weil said in no uncertain terms.
Also present at the press conference was FIH president, Narinder Batra, who limited his comments on the matter but said he had "strong views" about it.
"I have to follow certain protocols as the FIH president. I have my strong views on this kind of behaviour. A sport has to be played in the right spirit," Batra said.
"I am here till the 17th (of December) attending to the World Cup. After that (I will be) in Delhi and do intend to speak on it as the NOC president post the 17th. Here, I leave it to what Thierry has said," Batra, who is also the president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), added.
The Indian coach and captain had come out all guns blazing after losing to the Dutch.
"Can anyone define Amit Rohidas' 10-minute yellow card?," Harendra had asked at the post-match press conference. "What about this gentleman (pointed at Manpreet), when he was pushed from behind? Why not a yellow card there?"
"Two times we got a card when we hadn't done anything. But when it happened against us, he (umpire) said nothing. They need to improve," the India coach had said.
It now remains to be seen what stand Hockey India will take on the issue and what will be official reaction of Batra as the IOA president after the World Cup ends on Sunday.