COPS BROUGHT TO BOOK

Daily News & Analysis
Thursday, October 1, 2009 2:56 IST

Mumbai: The verdict is out. Maharashtra State Police (MSP), who are
supposed to maintain law and order of the state, have been found
guilty of assaulting and harming Uzbekistan players with chairs
during their division-1 match of the 76th All India and South Asia
Rugby tournament at the Bombay Gymkhana on Tuesday.

As a result, one has been banned for life, five have been banned for
five years from playing any competitive national level rugby game
while the manager and the team got one year suspensions on Wednesday.

A three-member committee consisting of Salim Tayyebji, David Purdy
and Darius Moos, all former players, studied the video footage and
made the decision against the MSP on Wednesday. "The punishment we
have given them is very lenient considering the state of rugby in
the country," said Purdy. Purdy pointed that it was a foul tackle
from an MSP player which sparked the violence.

Even Greg Davey, development manager of Rugby India, who actually
brought the situation under control on the fateful day, said he
was appalled with the incident. "Never in the 40 years I have seen
something like this, it is absolutely unacceptable," said a visibly
upset Davey.

The players and coach from both the sides gave their
versions. Uzbekistan team defended while MSP were speechless. The
committee was unanimous and the decision was conveyed to the
policemen. Purdy said that if the team wasn’t from India, all the
players and the team would have been banned for life. "International
rules say that no weapons or objects are allowed on the field, they
flouted the rules without even acknowledging the presence of match
officials," explained Purdy.

Three Uzbek players suffered head injuries while one fractured his
thumb during the commotion.

When contacted by DNA, DGP of the Maharashtra Police, SS Virk, said
that till now they haven’t received any formal communication from the
organisers. But he said that once the information they will decide
the future course of action against the officers involved in the
fracas who brought the whole unit into disrepute.

Meanwhile in the first plate semifinals between Armenia and Army Green,
the latter moved into the title round after the spin of coin. After
slugging out for 80 minutes of regulation time and another 20 minutes
of extra time the teams were locked at 5-5. Due to bad light, the
match officials with the consent of two teams decided to go for the
spin of coin.