The Bangladesh Hockey Federation took punitive actions on Saturday against 31 persons, including players, organisers, clubs, and club officials, on disciplinary grounds by handing them bans on different terms, cash penalties, and warnings.
The BHF, in its executive committee meeting, took the decisions against them for violating rules during the 11-team Premier Division Hockey League held at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium from March 7 to April 19.
Besides, during the meeting, Abahani Limited and Mariner Youngs Club were announced joint champions of the Premier Hockey League after they were tied on identical 37 points at the end of the league that ended on April 19.
Earlier the federation announced that the league winners would be decided by a play-off between Abahani and Mariners.
Among the 15 players who faced different term bans, Mohammedan Sporting Club player Rashel Mahmud Jimmy received bans on most for 12 matches.
Police Sporting Club player Mohammed Kawsar is the only one who was penalised both cash of Tk 50,000 and a three-match ban.
Mohammedan Sporting Club’s advisory coach, Malaysia’s Iman Gobinathan Krishnamurthy, who is also the coach of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan, former BHF member Tareq A Adel, and MSC’s director Jamal Rana were all handed lifetime bans.
Tareq was punished for making negative comments on social media platforms about the federation’s activities, while Jamal was punished for making indecent remarks about the federation after the league match on April 19.
Mohammedan players Asraful Haque, Nuruzzaman Noyon, Julpidas Bin Nijum, Tanvir Ahmed, and Deen Islam Emon were suspended for seven, two, two, three and three matches, respectively, while Abahani’s Puskar Khisha Mimo, Nayeem Uddin, and Afna Yousuf were suspended for two, three, and two games.
Bangladesh Sporting Club were penalised Tk 50, 000, while Azad Sporting Club and Ajax Sporting Club were fined Tk 25, 000 each.
Mohammedan manager, Ariful Haque Prince was barred from serving as a team official for four years, while assistant coach Russel Khan Bappi and Ajax Sporting Club coach Ehtesham Hossain were suspended for five and 10 matches, respectively.
Mariner Young’s official Nasim Reza Mizan, Usha Krira Chakra manager Wajid Hossain, and Ajax SC manager Md Mohi were given warnings.
All of these punishments will be applicable for the Premier Hockey League and for the franchise league.
‘We took the decisions after analysing all of the matches’ video footage and umpires reports,’ BHF general secretary AKM Mominul Haque Shaeed told the reporters after the meeting without disclosing the names, who are in the BHF disciplinary committee.
‘Citing different reasons, the two clubs asked for two months of time to play the league decider, but the federation has other competitions to run. So we took the decision to select joint champions in response to league committee recommendations.’
