Northern Rly hockey team banned after assault on referee

Gwalior, Dec 9 (UNI) A two-year ban was slapped on the Northern Railway hockey team after two of its members assaulted the referee during the All-India Scindia Gold Cup's opening encounter today with the Air India Academy, Delhi.

A committee including the tournament's Director A K Sharma, Manager A D Bapat and Madhya Bharat Hockey Federation Secretary N P Katare banned the team from the tournament and urged the Indian Hockey Federation to ban, also for two years, Amar Singh and Rajneesh who disputed with referee Ripudaman when the Academy was leading 4-0.

An incensed Singh struck Ripudaman with his stick before the organisers and monitoring committee officials intervened.

The committee ayed the Academy's entry into the next stage.

In a close contest, Central Railway beat North-Eastern Railway 6-5 in a tiebreaker after the teams were tied at 2-2.

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