Pakistani umpire sent back by FIH from Beijing for flouting rules

Lahore, Aug 24 (UNI) A Pakistani umpire has been sent back in the middle of recently concluded Good Luck Beijing hockey tournament for violating rules and security breach.

According to 'The Dawn' umpire Dilawar Hussain Bhatti, who officiated in the four-nation tournament early this month, was asked to pack up and leave on the second day of the event by tournament director for taking two of his nephews into the stadium without accreditation.

Dilawar had also reportedly used official bus to carry his nephews to the venue. When tournament director Ken Read directed Dilawar to remove his two nephews from the venue he had taken them in the umpires' room.

This forced Read to cancel Dilawar's accreditation and to order Dilawar's unceremonious exit from the Chinese city.

Dilawar was later given a patient hearing in the presence of Read and umpires' manager Peter Von Reth where he admitted to his actions. FIH will soon decide on Dilawar's accreditation to the world governing body.

''Mr Bhatti was nominated by the PHF and accepted by FIH as an umpire. Unfortunately, the tournament director had to remove his accreditation and arrange for his early return to Pakistan,'' FIH communication manager Arjen Mejier told the newspapers.

''He (Dilawar) invited two non-accredited members of the public aboard the officials' bus on the morning of August 9. Those persons were thereby able to enter the hockey venue without any security clearance.

''They then entered the stadium with Bhatti when he well knew they did not have accreditation. When instructed by the tournament director to immediately remove the persons from the venue he did not comply. Rather, he placed them away from the view of the tournament director in the umpires' room,'' Mejier said.

''Mr Bhatti's umpiring accreditation with FIH will be reviewed by the umpiring committee of the FIH. He will be advised of the outcome of that review in due course.'' UNI