Sandeep, Sardara banned for indiscipline

Hockey India cracked the whip on Saturday, slapping a two-year ban on star players Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh for repeated indiscipline.

The national federation imposed the sanction on Sandeep and Sardara after a marathon meeting, which was attended by Hockey India's top brass, including its secretary-general Narinder Batra.

The two players, who left the national camp in Bangalore reportedly after an argument with the coach, were also summoned to the meeting.

Batra, however, said that both the players have right to appeal against the ban and have been given 30 days time.

"Today we had a meeting to discuss the issue of Sandeep and Sardara, who left the camp in Bangalore on August 23 without the permission of the coach. The issues was discussed in detail and the players were also given an opportunity to explain their position," Batra told reporters.

"It's the third time in 6 months they have repeated such an incidence. Enough is enough and we felt some action needs to be taken against them. So they have been banned for two years during which they can't participate in Hockey and International Hockey Federation (FIH) events. It was a unanimous opinion," he said.

"But they can appeal against the ban within 30 days to me and then a five-member committee will be formed which will hear their case," he said

Batra said that they five-man panel would have one member from Sports Authority of India, one from the Indian Olympic Association, one athletes representative and two from Hockey India.