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What's the story?
Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has been handed a 15-day suspension and will be on a 12-month probation for playing in a charity football match without taking Hockey India's permission. This has been done to ensure that the veteran abides by Hockey India's Code of Conduct.
In case you didn't know
Virat Kohli Foundation and Abhishek Bachchan’s ‘Playing for Humanity’ organises a football match every year, the proceeds of which go for charity. This match, known as Celebrity Clasico, is played between the active sportspersons of the country, which mostly includes Indian cricket team members and the Bollywood stars. Sreejesh played the Celebrity Clasico in October last year while nursing an injury.
Sreejesh featured in goal for the Virat Kohli-led side named All Heart FC, which took on Ranbir Kapoor's All Star FC in Mumbai.
The heart of the matter
Sreejesh was injured since June, last year and hasn't made an appearance for the national team since then but he made himself available for the Celebrity Clasico.
The hockey star didn't take the clearance of Hockey India before playing in the charity match and thus has been banned from the national team for the next 15 days.
What next?
With no Hockey India League this year, the national team will play in Commonwealth and Asian Games. The national team will also be taking part in the Asian Champions Trophy in October followed by the World Cup in December.
In January, the Indian team will travel to New Zealand to take part in a four-team tournament. Sreejesh can be excluded from this squa which can further put his senior career in doubt as he has been out of the team for a long time.
Author's take
Sreejesh should have focused on his rehabilitation rather than playing the celebrity match which can cost him a place in the national team.
