Fight over Hockey IPL spreads to Europe

The latest chapter in the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF)-Hockey India’s enduring rivalry is being played out in European lands.

Earlier this month, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) was approached to referee the fight between the two rivals over hockey’s version of the Indian premier league cricket tournament, organised by IHF. IHF is not affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the world body recognises Hockey India as the national federation for hockey in India. FIH has threatened to suspend players from its future tournaments if they take part in the World Series Hockey (WSH).

European players interested in participating in WSH have moved the European Competition Commission in Spain, Belgium and the United Kingdom against the FIH direction, according to sources.

Hockey India has insisted its players give the inaugural WSH a miss if they want to keep their positions in the national team intact. Against this, former team captains and players approached the CCI. The petitioners charged Hockey India with abusing its dominant position.

The complainants have asked the commission to look into the matter under Section 3 and 4 of the Competition Act, 2002. These sections declare anti-competitive agreements will be void and prohibit enterprises and persons from entering into any agreement in respect of production, supply, distribution, storage, acquisition or control of goods or provision of services that causes or is likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.

“The players are within their rights to move courts, so that corrective action be taken. The players are under no contractual obligation of FIH to not participate in other tournaments. It is a matter pertaining to their livelihood,” said a senior company executive involved in WSH.

Industry sources say FIH and Hockey India are set to launch their own world league in 2013. The bodies are, therefore, unwilling to permit their players to participate in any other league. Upon pressure from FIH, the Pakistan Hockey Federation recently barred its players from participating in the WSH.

WSH will be played between December 17 and January 22. There will be 61 matches with a total prize of $2 million.