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Gurbaj Singh, who has played over 200 internationals for the country, has been suspended by Hockey India for nine months. The mercurial midfielder has been charged with “misbehaviour and creating disharmony within the team”.
Gurbaj will have an opportunity to appeal to the Hockey India Executive Board against the decision of the Athletes Disputes and Grievance Redressal Committee within 30 days.
Gurbaj’s issues with discipline is nothing new. During the 2012 London Olympics, he was not in the good books of coach Michael Nobbs and he was hauled up again after the World Hockey League semis in Antwerp last month.
A special Hockey India committee, headed by Olympian Harbinder Singh, had last month recommended disciplinary action against Gurbaj based on the reports submitted by the coaches and manager. Serious questions were raised on Gurbaj’s attitude. He was also accused of forming groups in the team.
According to a press release, Gurbaj was reported against by coach Jude Felix, who was present in Monday’s hearing along with the player. Not only the World Hockey League semis, but Gurbaj’s conduct in the series versus Japan and the Azlan Shah Cup was detrimental to the team’s spirit, the coach reported.
Showing disregard to the support staff and refusing to play in any position apart from the right mid-field position also went against Gurbaj. He will be unable to play in any Hockey India, Asian Hockey Federation and FIH-sanctioned tournaments during this ban period.
