Hockey India alleges fixing attempts at London

In an official letter to FIH CEO, HI alleged that the Sardar Singh questioning was an attempt to not just affect the player and India's performance but also influence the result of its match against Pakistan.

Sardar was questioned by the Leeds Police on charges of sexual assault filed by the lady a day after India's group match against Pakistan.

Hockey India seems in no mood to let go of the Sardar Singh questioning issue in London. The federation has now officially written to FIH CEO Jason McCracken, raising the bogey of match-fixing attempts during the recent Hockey World League Semifinals.

The letter, sent by Hockey India, alleges that the complaint and questioning was an attempt to not just affect the player and India's performance but also influence the result of its match against Pakistan.

“Everyone is aware that cases of match-fixing in cricket have taken place in England concerning Pakistan matches...now if this plague has decided to spread its way into hockey by adopting a route of bogus criminal complaint and making teams play with less number of players or tired players...then it is a serious issue,” the letter states.

It further adds that there was sufficient circumstantial evidence and also sought investigations into the matter by England Hockey given that the lady concerned making the accusations claimed to be a national level athlete there.

The letter, dated July 5 and signed by HI president Mariamma Koshy, also includes copies of official report by the Indian team manager Jugraj Singh and a letter from Sardar to the federation regarding the incident.

In fact, Sardar's letter (dated June 28) lists 10 previous complaints filed by the lady for sexual and physical assault against him across the world between 2013-2016, including Rotterdam, London, Kuala Lumpur and Glasgow besides India, all but one of which have been closed, as per his knowledge.

“I have presented the status of the above 10 alleged complaints as per information given to me and, instead of going by my version, the above can be got cross-checked and verified by anyone for updated status,” Sardar has claimed. He added that he was threatened even during the HWL event last month. He revealed that he would soon be filing a case against the lady for stalking and harassment.

Sardar was questioned by the Leeds Police on charges of sexual assault filed by the lady a day after India's group match against Pakistan and appeared out of form throughout the tournament thereafter.