Planet Field Hockey

BY CATHY HARRIS

IRELAND have confirmed they are considering taking the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne after losing their place at next year?s World Cup finals in Australia.
The FIH dismissed Ireland?s successful protest lodged at the World Cup qualifier in France in September against the running of a penalty stroke competition at the end of their match against Lithuania. The tournament director ruled that the sudden-death penalty strokes be retaken but Lithuania failed to turn up and were deemed to have withdrawn from the event, handing Ireland a World Cup spot. Lithuania then appealed against the decision.

The ruling means Ireland and Lithuania are included in the Champions Challenge in Johannesburg in February alongside England, Germany, South Korea and South Africa, who have already qualified, and India and the United States, who should have played off in Delhi in January. The top two finishers from Ireland, India, Lithuania and the United States will join the 16 nations at the World Cup in Perth.

Joan McCloy, the Irish Hockey Association president, said: ?We are devastated. It?s an impossible situation for us because we?re out of training and haven?t played an international since September. America and India always knew they would be in action.

?We did nothing wrong and made a legitimate protest which was upheld ? it was unfortunate but anyone in our position would have done the same. The FIH has set a precedent in making this decision and I don?t think this will be the end of it. We can only appeal to CAS now.? Riet Kuper, Ireland?s Dutch-born coach described the decision as ?absolutely unbelievable?.

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