Veteran player Gurbaj Singh has been suspended for nine months by Hockey India after being charged with creating disharmony within the team.
A disciplinary committee of Hockey India, headed by Harbinder Singh, decided to slap a nine-month on the 27-year-old mercurial midfielder after a meeting with former India coach Jude Felix on Monday.
Felix had levelled the charges against Gurbaj in his report following the conclusion of last month’s Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium.
Gurbaj has the opportunity to lodge an appeal to the Hockey India Executive Board against the decision within 30 days.
Gurbaj, who has represented the country over 200 internationals, might not be able to play in next year’s Rio Olympics if the suspension is not revoked.