Suspending players is last resort: Mattoo

New Delhi/Pune, Jan 11 (PTI) He does not want to crack
the whip as of now but Hockey India President A K Mattoo
Monday said the option of suspending the revolting players
remains open if the payment row is not resolved.
A meeting between the agitating players, who have pulled
out of the World Cup preparatory camp, is on in Pune where
Ikram Khan has been rushed to talk to the players.
Mattoo is miffed with the players' for not keeping their
promise of resuming training after the patch up in New Delhi
on Saturday.
"If you ask me it is an option. I can use it today,
tomorrow or any other day but I don't want this to happen,"
Mattoo told reporters when asked if suspending the players is
an option for Hockey India.
Earlier, HI representative Ikram Khan reached Pune to
negotiate with the players, who are protesting the non-payment
of their dues and incentives for their 2009 performances.
HI had Sunday night accused the players of blackmailing
the federation and holding the nation to ransom but Khan hoped
a compromise would be reached.
"I think there will be a compromise soon. They will
listen to us and I am 100 per cent sure that the matter will
be sorted out. I am going to meet the players right now," he
told media in Pune. More PTI