By Anuroop Athiparambath — MUSCAT, APRIL 1: HM Cup champions Seeb were suspended for the 2017 season after they refused to complete the first edition of Super Cup match against the eventual winners Al Nasr on Thursday night. “A decision to this effect was taken yesterday night by the OHA board after taking into account all the aspects regarding the incident during the Super Cup match,” Oman Hockey Association Chairman Talib al Wahaibi told Observer on Saturday. “As per Clause No 27 and Clause No 54, Seeb Club has been stopped from participating from the entire season. Seeb coach Khalid bin Abdurahman al Raisi has been banned for two years and any repeat of the offence he will face a life ban,” the OHA chief said.
The match was stopped before three minutes before end of play as Seeb players refused to take to the ground protesting after an appeal for penalty was turned down by the referee at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
Al Nasr, who were leading the match by a goal at that time, made it 2-0 from a counter attack after the attack by Seeb which led to the penalty appeal.
The match was watched by the dignitaries from the first Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Congress hosted by Oman on Thursday. Among the attendance were
AHF President HRH Prince Abdullah Ahmad Shah and AHF CEO Tayyib Ikram along with OHA Chairman Talib al Wahaibi and other delegates from the AHF member countries.
The tough disciplinary action comes as OHA was miffed by Seeb side’s conduct after its successful efforts to host the first Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Congress in Oman and the inaugural Super Cup in a bid to revive the game in the Sultanate.
Detailing the disciplinary actions taken by the OHA, Al Wahaibi said Ibrahim bin Nasser al Hasni has been suspended for three years and Seeb Club fined RO 100, according to Clause 68.
As per Clause 66, Mohammed bin Hassan al Lawati, Al Motasim bin Abdurahman al Raisi and Mohammed bin Salim al Hussaini were suspended for three months.
The OHA chief thanked Ahmed bin Yahya al Raisi, manager of Seeb, for his efforts to bring the boycotting players back to the ground. Oman hockey season is a calendar year end on December 31.
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