HI alleges match fixing attempts during HWL

Everyone is aware that cases of match fixing in Cricket have taken place in England concerning Pakistan matches

India (HI) has filed an official complaint with the Federation of International Hockey (FIH), alleging matchfixing attempts.

In a letter written to FIH CEO Jason McCracken, the Indian body has alleged there were match-fixing attempts during the recently held Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-final in London.

In the letter. HI president Mariamma Koshy referred to a June 19 incident where, acting on a complaint filed by an England junior hockey player on June 17 related to a year-old sexual assault case, senior player Sardar SIngh was summoned to Leeds for questioning.

As it was on the eve of the high-voltage Pool B match against Pakistan, which India won 7-1, the hearing was postponed to June 20.

The federation has alleged that the complaint and questioning was an attempt to not just affect the player but also to influence the result of the match against Pakistan and India’s performance in the tournament.

“(Sic) Everyone is aware that cases of match fixing in Cricket have taken place in England concerning Pakistan matches being played in England and after enquiry athletes have been banned and also sentenced to jail for it.,” the letter stated.

“Now, if this plague has decided to spread into hockey by adopting a route of bogus criminal complaint and making teams play with less number of players or tired players ( due to travel time a questioning) then it is a serious issue and may affect the credibility of the game of hockey which we all love so much. This plague if it is found to be true in investigation needs to be crushed now,” the letter added.

The letter added that there was sufficient circumstantial evidence and seeks investigations into the matter by England Hockey, given that the woman concerned making the accusations claimed to be a national level athlete there.