Suspending players is last resort: Mattoo

He does not want to crack the whip as of now but Hockey India President A K Mattoo on Monday said the option of suspending the revolting players remains open if the payment row is not resolved.

A meeting between the agitating players, who have pulled out of the World Cup preparatory camp, in Pune, where Ikram Khan has been rushed to talk to the players.

Mattoo is miffed with the players for not keeping their promise of resuming training after the patch up in New Delhi on Saturday.

"If you ask me it is an option. I can use it today, tomorrow or any other day but I don't want this to happen," Mattoo said when asked if suspending the players is an option for Hockey India.

Earlier, HI representative Ikram Khan reached Pune to negotiate with the players, who are protesting the non-payment of dues and incentives for their 2009 performances.

HI had last night accused the players of blackmailing the federation and holding the nation to ransom but Khan hoped a compromise would be reached.

"I think there will be a compromise soon. They will listen to us and I am 100 per cent sure that the matter will be sorted. I am going to meet the players right now," he told media in Pune.