Paris 2024: Big Setback for India as Star Player Banned for Olympic Semi-final Showdown vs Germany

The eight-time Olympic champion, the Indian hockey team, have suffered a significant setback ahead of their semifinal match. Team India had already faced a problem in their quarterfinal match against Great Britain after being down to ten men but they fought back bravely to earn themselves a spot in the semifinal. But before the big game, India suffered a setback as the FIH put a sanction on India star Amit Rohidas. It could be a massive setback for the Men's Indian Hockey Team as they will be left with just 15 players for the semifinal encounter.

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India Hockey side to miss out on Amit Rohidas in Olympic Semifinal as FIH hands a one-match ban

Amit Rohidas, the primary defender and first rusher for the India Hockey side, was given a one-match sanction for his red card against Great Britain in the quarterfinal. As a result, he will miss out on Tuesday's Olympic men's hockey semifinal against Germany.

"Amit Rohidas was suspended for one match for a breach of the FIH Code of Conduct which occurred during the India vs Great Britain match on August 4. The suspension affects match No. 35 (India's semi-final match against Germany), where Amit Rohidas will not participate, and India will play with a squad of 15 players only," an FIH statement read.

Amit Rohidas and Will Calnan got into a midfield brawl in the second quarter of the Great Britain game when Rohidas swung his stick and accidentally smacked Calnan in the face while trying to get away from the British forward. After a video referral, the TV umpire overturned the on-field official's initial ruling that the challenge was a major infraction and issued a red card.

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Hockey India has already filed an appeal against Amit Rohidas' being suspended, and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Jury Bench will make its ruling later today, as per sources.

"Amit has been banned/suspended for one match by the tournament director. Hockey India has now appealed against this ruling and the appeal will be put forth before the FIH Jury Bench," a source mentioned to PTI.