Champions trophy hockey: Jury indecision mars final moments
The tournament jury seemed to be in a fix when India filed an appeal against the video umpire's decision to re-take the second attempt in the shootout. India had lost the shootout 1-3 after holding world champions Australia goalless in 60 minutes of regulation period last night.
  Â
It took the jury multiple replays to find a way out of the embarrassing situation that kept the result pending.
  Â
India had complained that Daniel Beale's shootout attempt was allowed to go on for more than 14 seconds and the obstruction that was cited took place outside the eight-second limit for such attempts. The score then was 1-0.
  Â
After an hour and a half of the match's conclusion, the jury eventually discovered that the ball had rolled under Indian goalkeeper's pad for a couple of seconds. The jury now cited this as the cause why the shootout was re-taken. But it still took the jury a lot of explanation to the Indian captain and coach before announcing that the result would stay.
  Â
Australia thus won the title, but both teams had to be ushered out of the ground, to send a signal for the crowd to go home. The medal presentation was then staged in the media interview room, away from the spotlight in the middle of the pitch.
  Â
"The umpires have failed," said Narender Batra, President of Hockey India, who vehemently protested from the VIP galleries.
  Â
"Is this the quality of umpires you post in the final of the Champions Trophy?" asked Batra.
  Â
"The shootout attempt went on for over 14 seconds, and then it was re-taken. Just to cover up their shortcomings, they are now pointing out at a different incident," he said.
  Â
"If the goalkeeper had made an infringement, that a penalty stroke should have been awarded," Batra emphasised. Indian coach Roelant Oltmans said it was "an unusual end to the tournament".
  Â
"To be honest, the set process should be followed. Our protest was not about the result, but important tournaments should follow the process," said Oltmans.
  Â
"If something like this happens at the Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, just imagine the embarrassment for the game," he said.