The players reacted to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Rana Mujahid’s request for political asylum in Europe for 3 players and an official.
According to media reports, sources close to the players say that they neither sought nor applied for political asylum, they went to Europe to play 5 matches after participating in the Nations Cup and later the club offered them more contracts and He promised to provide them with a temporary residence card.
Sources also said that the players are not engaged in any other jobs in Europe but are only playing hockey, if the players were planning to go abroad, they could have done so earlier.
Earlier, Secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Rana Mujahid said that 3 players Murtaza Yaqoob, Ehtesham Aslam, forward Abdul Rehman Jr. and team physio Dr. Waqas have applied for political asylum in Europe.
Rana Mujahid said that the players had informed the federation about their unavailability for the Asian Champions Trophy, but had not told that they were going to Europe to play matches or leagues.
He further said that three players and one official are being banned for life and steps will be taken to cancel their passports through the Ministry of External Affairs.
