Hockey India Lodged Official Complaint on ‘Quality of Umpiring’

Hockey India officially filed a complaint with the International Olympics Committee, about the quality of umpiring and decision-making in the Paris Olympic Games 2024 (Men’s tournament). Several inconsistencies in officiating the match between India and Great Britain were observed that could have influenced the game’s outcome. Particularly, inconsistent video umpire reviews, coaching of a goalkeeper from behind the goalpost, and use of a video tablet by a goalkeeper during the shootout.

Video umpiring was first put into use at the 2008 Beijing Games. Then, only the umpires could make a referral to the video umpire when they had any doubt about awarding or discarding a goal. However, starting from the London Olympics, the competing teams could also make one referral each through the match umpire. The FIH Video Umpire Protocols provide that the final decision, including any matter of interpretation, remains with the Match Umpire and not the Video Umpire.

This year, the introduction of mixed gender on field umpiring at the Olympics for the first time by the FIH was seen as a positive move towards gender equality, inclusion and diversity. However, the concerns raised about officiating during the tournament may overshadow this otherwise positive development.