Tasmania has been stripped of one of its upcoming Kookaburras international fixtures after Pakistan was ejected from the FIH Pro League.
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The Tasmanian Hockey Centre in Hobart was gearing up for two double-headers involving the men’s and women’s national teams.
However, the development will leave the Kookaburras with just one fixture, against Germany on February 10.
The International Hockey Federation confirmed on Thursday that Pakistan had been suspended from the Pro League.
Hockey Australia chief executive Matt Favier said the news would not affect the scheduled Hockeyroos’ fixtures.
“We are disappointed to learn of Pakistan’s withdrawal from the inaugural FIH Pro League,” he said.
“The timing of the announcement presents challenges with Pakistan due to play the Kookaburras in Hobart.
“We have immediately begun to consider our options to offer a solution, particularly given fans have pre-purchased tickets and there had been good local interest in the double-header, and will communicate that as soon as possible.”
The FIH took the drastic step after the Pakistan Hockey Association said it was no longer able to play its first three games against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, citing “inevitable circumstances”.
Introduced to replace the Champions’ Trophy and World League semi-finals and finals, the FIH Pro League is a global home and away competition involving many of the world’s leading hockey nations, men and women, for a six-month period.
It kicked-off successfully last Saturday in Valencia and resumes on Friday with the men’s game between Spain and Great Britain.