The saga surrounding Lithuania's expulsion from the World Cup Qualifier in France last month, following their team's refusal to replay the penalty strokes shoot-out against Ireland, is, it appears, far from over.
The Lithuanian Hockey Federation (LHF), supported by its government and National Olympic Committee (NOC), confirmed yesterday it will take the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne unless it deems its women's team to have qualified for next year's World Cup finals.
Should the LHF succeed in its challenge to the sport's governing body the worst-case scenario for Ireland would be that their place in the finals could be jeopardised, with a play-off against India for the right to meet the USA in a three-match series, the winners of which would take the final World Cup qualifying place, their likely fate.
Lithuania beat Ireland 6-5 on penalty strokes following their 2-2 draw in the fifth-eighth place play-offs at the qualifier but Ireland lodged a successful appeal against the running of the shoot-out which breached FIH rules. The tournament director ordered the strokes competition to be replayed but the Lithuanians refused to turn up and Ireland were granted a walkover.
"We really have no spite against the Irish team, which respectfully fought on the field and during the penalty strokes - they really were the perfect team," said the LHF's general secretary Voldemaras Kundrotas yesterday, "However, Lithuania won that match."
"I have worked for 24 years as a national coach - many times we took penalty strokes, sometimes we were successful and sometimes we lost," said Lithuanian coach Rimas Caikauskas. "In this situation I would never have protested because my team lost. The rules were broken by the officials but they had no influence on the result."
The LHF is demanding the FIH "recognise our results during the 10th World Cup Qualifier, which means (us finishing) not lower that sixth place in the tournament".
"Our protest is supported by the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee, the Physical Education and Sport Department of the Government of the Lithuanian Republic and by all sporting society, press and media in Lithuania," said Kundrotas.
The LHF gave the FIH until Monday last to respond to their protest but, as of yesterday, had still not received a reply. If they stand by their threat they will now lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration in Lausanne where they will argue that the decision by the World Cup Qualifier tournament director, Claire Peeters-Monseu, ran counter to the "basic 'fair play' principle" of the sport, that the decisions of the presiding umpires should have been final and that Lithuania was denied the right to "counter-appeal" Ireland's protest because no appeal jury was appointed.
"The Lithuanian national team is formed from seven students, four officers, three pupils and four mothers watching after children. The aim was one - to qualify as one of the strongest six and so win a trip to Perth, Australia for the 10th World Cup finals," read their protest. "Our most important historical match with the Irish team was won 6-5 after penalty strokes. Lithuania had fulfilled its historical mission . . . sadly what happened after is difficult to conceive - let's say cryptic.
"The Lithuanian national team players were dancing a victory and joy dance in the middle of the pitch and also were crying out of joy. All spectators and other teams' coaches and managers accepted the victory as just. Mobile phones were ringing and all Lithuania was 'sinking' in the sea of happiness. All this joy lasted for 15-20 minutes.
"Our team is supported by all Lithuania, press, TV and I think a lot of the hockey world - we can see that on the internet. The general director of our Sport Department, Mr V Nenius, and our NOC president, Mr A Poviliunas, are supporting our position and the right to fight for the truth."
While the Irish Hockey Association remains confident about the legitimacy of their protest in France the outcome of the LHF's appeal will be awaited with interest.
