India coach questions FIH over China penalty stroke, deletes posts

India women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne has questioned the International Hockey Federation's (FIH) interpretation of the penalty-stroke rule after China's Ying Zhang converted a stroke in the 2-2 World Cup draw in Amstelveen. Marijne posted video footage on social media asking whether Zhang's action constituted a 'dragging' movement, which is prohibited under FIH rules.

According to FIH Article 13.7(i), a penalty stroke must be a push, flick or scoop, and a dragging action is not allowed. Former Netherlands goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann and former Australian drag-flick expert Chris Ciriello told Times of India that the stroke appeared to be a drag. Ciriello noted that a similar action led to a goal being disallowed in the London Olympics.

Marijne later deleted his posts from Instagram and X. The FIH had not responded to TOI's request for clarification at the time of publication.