Sardar Singh: No question of playing Pakistan until they apologize

New Delhi: India's hockey captain Sardar Singh on Friday made his stand clear vis-a-vis playing a series with Pakistan in the near future.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, the midfielder stated that the question of playing against Pakistan did not arise till an apology was issued by them for their antics at the Champions Trophy in 2014

"Till date they have not apologized. So that’s why there is no player from Pakistan in the HIL. So no question arises of having a series with Pakistan. First they have to apologize and after that it will be Hockey India’s call to decide on the issue," he told HT.

Sardar was signed up by the Punjab Warriors for the 2015 edition of the Hockey India League (HIL).

Pakistan players are missing from the league this year due to the rift between Hockey India and Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) over the misconduct of Pakistan players in Bhubaneswar after they beat the Indian side in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy.

"It was an unsporting incident and nobody expected this type of behaviour from sportspersons, especially in the international arena where everybody is watching you. Across the world people admire sportspersons and look toward them as a messenger for unity. And people of both nations are banking heavily on the sport to bring both nations closer. But the actions of the Pakistan team during the Champions trophy was not only against the spirit of sports but also played with the emotions of thousands of Indian spectators who were there only for the love of the game irrespective of which teams were playing. The post match celebration on the field is a common thing, whether it’s Olympics or any other event, all teams do it, but there is always a decorum to follow," Sardar further added.