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Three Pakistani hockey players and a physiotherapist have been banned for life after fleeing without the Pakistan Hockey Federation's knowledge and attempting to seek asylum in a European country. Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary general Rana Mujahid confirmed on Thursday that Murtaza Yaqob, Iftesham Aslam, Abdul Rahman and physiotherapist Waqas had travelled to the Netherlands and Poland last month to play in the Nations Cup. “When the team returned home and announced a training camp for the Asian Champions Trophy, the three informed us that they could not attend the camp due to domestic issues,” Mujahid said.
“We then found out that they flew again to the Netherlands on the same Schengen visa that was issued to the team, and sought political asylum there,” he added.
Mujahid said it was a “disappointing” development for Pakistan hockey and that it would make it difficult for the team to apply for visas to European countries to play in international tournaments.
He said the PHF assembly had approved the life ban and asked the PHF chairman to make efforts through the Pakistani consulate to bring them back for disciplinary action.
“We have already informed the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs of further steps,” he added.
The former Olympian acknowledged that while the Philippine Football Federation is in a tight financial situation and players are facing delays in payment of travel expenses and per diems, the problems do not justify abandoning the national team and tarnishing the country's reputation.
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