Ireland's place at next year's World Cup Finals in Australia could be in jeopardy after learning today that Lithuania have lodged an official protest with the FIH regarding the result of their qualifying victory in September.
Ireland earned their place at next year's finals in Perth following a controversial penalty shootout win over the Lithuanians. The Balkans country won the original shootout, but the Irish team protested after the order of the penalty strokes breached the competition's rules.
Ireland won their appeal and were awarded the victory when the Lithuanians failed to turn up for a second series of penalty strokes the following day. The Lithuanians believe that the Tournament director contradicted the FAIR PLAY principle when he ruled that the second series of penalty strokes should be retaken.
Filed by Shane Murray
