Rowdy flight probed

Hockey NZ is investigating after rowdy players reportedly disrupted an Air New Zealand safety briefing last weekend.

A statement from Hockey NZ said they were made aware of ‘‘excessive noise’’ and ‘‘inappropriate language’’ on board a flight from Wellington to Auckland on Sunday by players from two teams who had taken part in the National Hockey League final that afternoon.

It was acknowledged that the teams consumed alcohol in the changing rooms after the games and were ‘‘emotionally charged’’.

After speaking to CEOs and team managers about the incident, management was confident none of the players were intoxicated.

‘‘We were made aware of some excessive noise, and some inappropriate language on board the flight and Hockey New Zealand staff [who were travelling separately to the teams] apologised to cabin crew after the flight had landed,’’ the statement said.

‘‘Hockey New Zealand do not condone any behaviour which brings our sport into disrepute and have the full co-operation of the regions involved to continue investigating the incident further.’’

It was reported that drunk players, both male and female, disrupted the safety briefing while some failed to follow crew instructions. An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said it had not received any complaints but Hockey NZ apologised for the players’ actions.