Sandeep, Sardara appeal against ban; could be let off

India`s ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and midfielder Sardara Singh appealed against the sanctions imposed on them by Hockey India.

New Delhi: Handed out a two-year ban from the game for indiscipline, India`s ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and midfielder Sardara Singh on Thursday appealed against the sanctions imposed on them by Hockey India.

Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said that the duo had e-mailed their appeal plea to him today and sought for a meeting with him next week. "Both Sandeep and Sardara had sent their appeals to me today. They have also expressed their desire to meet me and I will be meeting them next week any day after Tuesday," Batra said. "After I meet them, a five-member committee will be formed which will look into their appeal," he added. According to HI sources, keeping in mind next year`s Olympic qualifiers, both Sandeep and Sardara could be pardoned with a warning if they accept their guilt before the five-member panel. "Sardara is presently the best midfielder in the world and Sandeep is one of the best drag-flickers. No doubt they have done a mistake but they are still young and they will be crucial to the team in the qualifiers," a source said. Both Sandeep and Sardara were banned for two years by HI`s disciplinary committee after they quit midway the national camp in Bangalore last month ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy citing personal reasons. The two players were, however, given 30 days` time by HI to appeal against their ban. PTI