Firhan and Surender suspended for misconduct

Malaysia Tigers forward Firhan Ashari and Indian defender Surender Kumar have been suspended for one and two matches respectively by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Disciplinary Committee for infringements committed in the Malaysia-India match of the QNET 4th Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan.

Firhan was hauled up by the disciplinary committee following an incident in the third quarter of Malaysia’s match against India on Wednesday which the Indians won 2-1 at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.

“Team India handed me a video clip of the said incident this morning in which Malaysian player No 13 (Firhan Ashari) was seen making an inappropriate and deliberate physical contact by extending his elbow into the body of Akashdeep Singh,” said Tournament Technical Delegate Rameesh Appoo in a written statement to the media in Kuantan today.

“Firhan accepted that the reported conduct constituted a level one (1) offence under the FIH Code of Conduct. Having reviewed the evidence and having heard Firhan’s explanation for his conduct, I have imposed on Firhan a one-match suspension with immediate effect,” he added.

Following this development, Firhan will not be eligible to play in the last round-robin league match against Korea tonight.

The disciplinary committee also suspended Surender Kumar for two matches with immediate effect which means the Indian defender has seen his last in the QNET Asian Champions Trophy.

“In the 49th minute of play, Surender was shown a yellow card by umpire Grime Murray for an off the field incident in which Surender lifted his stick in an inappropriate manner thereby causing his stick to hit the chin of Malaysian player Asri Hassan,” said Rameesh, adding that Surender accepted that the reported conduct constituted a level 2 offence under the FIH Code of Conduct..

“I have imposed on him, with immediate effect, a two-match suspension,” he added. The decision means Surender will not be eligible to play for India in Saturday’s semi-finals and also in the final should India qualify.

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