26 Oct 2001
 
The FIH Disciplinary Commission will hear and determine the Lithuania Hockey Federation's protest of the result of the Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament match featuring Lithuania v. Ireland at a specially convened meeting, November 28 in Brussels.

After apparantly winning the match against Ireland in a second round of penalty strokes, Lithuania withdrew from the tournament when Ireland's protest of the stroke procedure was upheld, and a replay of the second round of strokes scheduled. Lithuania failed to report for the replay of strokes and was declared withdrawn from the tournament.

The disputed match took place in the crossover phase of the tournament that would decide the 5th-8th places at the tournament with the 5th-6th place teams joining the 1st, 2nds, 3rd and 4th place teams in advancing to the World Cup. The 7th place team was to play the United States in a best of three series to determine the final World Cup qualifier.

When Lithuania failed to report for the replay of the stroke competition, Ireland was awarded the game and advanced to the 5th/6th place game where it defeated Scotland, 2-1 in extra time. Scotland advanced to the game with a 2-1 extra time win over India.

Lithuania appeared on the field the following day for its 7th/8th place game against India, however, FIH rules state that a team failing to play or complete a match "shall be considered withdrawn from the tournament" and thereby forfeiting the remainder of its matches.

As a result, the 7th place position was awarded to India along with the opportunity to play the United States in the best-of-three series, while Lithuania's final standing in the tournament was stricken from the record.

After the U.S. team was unable to attend the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the FIH granted the U.S. the opportunity to play the Qualifier's 7th place team in a best-of-three series for the final World Cup spot.

www.usfieldhockey.com