“We were robbed by biased refereeing” - Netizens blame referees for Indian men’s hockey team’s semi-final loss at Paris 2024 Olympics
The Indian men’s hockey team’s run at the Paris 2024 Olympics ended on Tuesday after the Men in Blue lost against Germany by a scoreline of 2-3 in the semi-final match on Tuesday. After this loss, India will face Spain in the bronze medal playoff on Thursday.
Netizens took to social media to vent their anger at the refereeing standards in the game and accused the officials of working against the Indian players.
“We were robbed by biased refereeing,” one fan said. “Either we play so good that referees don't get a chance to let their bias affect the game. Or we become so powerful in hockey that referees' careers are affected by bias against India. India would have won with standard, unbiased officials.”
Indian fans have often accused the Paris 2024 Olympics officials of being biased against the country’s players in spots such as boxing and hockey.
“India plays against the opponent AND the umpires, referees as well 🙃,” one fan said.
Former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, Viren Rasquinha, chimed in with a critique of the officiating in the India vs Germany match, writing:
“I am sorry but the video umpire was so bad today. The penalty stroke that she gave was clearly going wide when it hit the shin pads of Jarmanpreet. @FIH_Hockey needs to get their act in order big time.”
“Well played India... It was the Referee plus [Germany] that won. Referee plus GB lost but this time the referee's team won. Pathetic, the discrimination they have towards asian sides,” one fan said.
“Having followed Hockey in major events for more than a decade, this does not even surprise me. Foreign referees being hostile and unjust against India is a norm,” another fan said.
“Was it just me, or was the referee biased towards Germany? 🤔 Quick penalty corners and fouls against India! Still, well played, boys,” one fan said.
Indian men’s hockey team set to take on Spain in the bronze medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics
The Indian men’s hockey team has shown good form in the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics, registering three wins in five group games in Pool B, with their only loss coming against world No. 3 Belgium. Harmanpreet and Co. defeated Great Britain, ranked second in the world, in the quarter-finals to ensure a medal clash in this year’s Summer Olympic Games.
While world No. 5 Germany was the slight favorite coming into the semi-finals, the Indian men’s hockey team started the match in perfect fashion, taking the lead in the seventh minute courtesy of a goal by captain Harmanpreet Singh. However, the lead did not last very long, as Germany struck through Gonzalo Peillat (18’) and a penalty stroke by Christopher Reuhr (27’) to take the lead.
India fought back with a 36’ penalty corner goal by Sukhjeet Singh. However, it was not meant to be for the Indian team on the day, as Germany pulled ahead in the last part of the match through a 54th-minute goal by Marco Miltkau.
After losing the match against Germany, the Indian men’s hockey team will look to salvage a podium finish from their Paris 2024 Olympics campaign as they take on World No. 8 Spain on Thursday.