Kalinga Lancers’ Gurjinder Singh suspended for ‘physically assaulting’ opponent

Gurjinder Singh has been handed a two-match suspension

The Kalinga Lancers’ star dragflicker Gurjinder Singh is handed a two-match suspension over assault charges during a Hockey India League game at the Kalinga Stadium. Gurjinder will now sit out in Kalinga’s next two clashes against Ranchi Rays and Dabang Mumbai.

The disciplinary committee of the Hockey India League, after analysing the video footage, handed the suspension to Gurjinder for beaching the code of conduct. A statement issued by the HIL also informed that Gurjinder accepted the charges levied against him.

“The incident involved Gurjinder physically assaulting a player from the opponent team which clearly breached the HHIL Code of Conduct,” the statement reads. “The incident was proved by the video footage as well as Gurjinder accepting the assault on the field. HHIL Disciplinary Committee has suspended Gurjinder Singh from two matches.”

The incident happened in the final quarter of Kalinga’s home game against the Jaypee Punjab Warriors. Gurjinder, who scored for the home side earlier in the opening quarter, hit Punjab’s Malak Singh with his stick, after the visitors made a stunning comeback into the contest.

Gurjinder clearly lost his cool in the game and looked baffled with the amazing comeback done by the Jamie Dwyer-led side, which defeated the Lancers 2-1, through second-half strikes from Sandeep Singh and Affan Yusuf.

Following the incident, on-field umpires showed Gurjinder a yellow card and he was sent off the field. But, later, in the presence of clear video evidence, Kalinga player was handed suspension by the disciplinary committee.