The players have refused to take part in a pre-World Cup training camp in Pune in a row over non-payment of match fees, sponsorship money and bonuses.

Von Ondarza, who is visiting India to try to arrange a date for elections for Hockey India, met with the players today along with AK Mattoo, the President of the national governing body, to try to broker a deal so the team can begin training for the World Cup, which is due to open on February 28.

But after talks ended without a resolution, when 20 players walked out of the meeting, von Ondarza blasted the rebels.

The Venezuelan said: "Let me make it clear to the players that you [players] won't find any takers or sympathisers in international hockey.

"We want India [hockey] to comeback [to the top].

"India has been a traditional hockey nation in the world and for a player wearing India shirt should be his priority.

"Staying away from training is not the solution.

"The World Cup is at the door, if they don’t train it will only affect their results in the World Cup.

"They went out of the meeting and when they returned, I asked what is more important for them, the national shirt or the money.

"They said money was more important to them.

"It's very sad.

"The players have to remember that hockey is not like cricket, basketball or soccer where dollars roll in.

"I explained them that situation is improving and we have a new product."



The players had been given until today to return to the training camp or face disciplinary action.

That deadline has now been extended by another two days.

Mattoo said: "Though we have kept it as a last resort, we will not hesitate to ban players.

"Any player who is in the complex has to train but it seems for them [the players] money is more important than playing for the country.

"No-one has been thrown out of the camp.

"The players have been given 48 hours time to resume training.

"If they decide not to attend the camp within 48 hours then the camp will be shut.

"We are not saying that we are sacking or suspending them but they will not be able to take part in the World Cup.

"I am not suspending the camp, I am closing the camp for the time being and restart it after some days.

"India will participate in the World Cup irrespective of the fact that whether they play or not.

"We will look for fresh players from across the country and train them under [coach] Jose Brasa and Harender Singh to make them fit for the World Cup.

"The technical people will look into this matter."

Mattoo said that the players refused to budge from their stand despite the assurance that their grievances would be looked into after the Hockey India elections, now re-scheduled for February 7.

He said: "I told the players that I have 'X' amount of money in my hand.

"If I give it to you, I have to give it to the women's as well as junior team.

"I told them their all demands we will take it forward to new body and see what we can do best for them.

"We pleaded with them.

"Tony [von Ondarza] even told them nowhere in the world a player plays for money but unfortunately our pleads were not heard.

"They said unless their demands were met they will not train.

"I told them you get into the field and we will see what we can do for them now and for their future as well."

Goalkeeper Adrian De Souza said: "We won’t fear any threat and if raising our voices for justice would mean our expulsion then we are ready for it."

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