Hockey player Gurbaj Singh suspended for nine months

Senior India hockey player Gurbaj Singh was on Monday suspended for nine months for indulging in groupism and creating disharmony within the team, a decision which might shatter the experienced midfielder's dream of playing in next year's Rio Olympics.

The decision to suspend Gurbaj was taken after a meeting of Hockey India's discipl inary committee headed by Harbinder Singh with the midfielder and former India coach Jude Felix, who levelled the charges against him in his report after last month's Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium.

Besides Harbinder, the HI disciplinary panel also include former players R P Singh, A B Subbaiah and Jasjeet Handa. Gurbaj, however, has the option to lodge an appeal with HI's appellate tribunal within a month's time.

Harbinder later said it was time to teach a lesson to Gurbaj, dubbed as problem child in Indian hockey, for his repeated misdemeanours.

"We have suspended Gurbaj for nine months starting today, which means he will be unable to play for India till May 9, 2016. The step was taken after Jude Felix in his (HWL) report had brought up disciplinary issues against Gurbaj," Harbinder said.

Both Gurbaj and Jude were present in the meeting and the committee gave Gurbaj a chance to tell his version. "But obviously, he (Gurbaj) can appeal against the suspension," he said.