During the WorldHockey Olympic Qualifier, men, in Kakamigahara, Japan the Malaysian team made an unsuccessful appeal against the decision of the TD regarding a protest of the Malaysian team.

Malaysia protested to a goal of Japan in their last match of the preliminary round, as according to the Malaysian team, a Japanese player hit the ball with a foot before scoring the goal. The last minute goal scored by Japan put the host country at 3-3, which was enough for qualification for the final against Germany on Sunday.

The TD decided that he is not in the position to allow the protest as the question whether or not the ball hit a foot or any other foul was committed is a match umpire decision and therefore may not be considered by the TD.

After Malaysia lodged an appeal, the FIH Appeal Jury stated that, in accordance with the tournament regulations, there is no ground for either a protest or an appeal by Malaysia as the case concerns an umpire’s decision during a match.