The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has apologised to Pakistan after a mistake with the national flag during a Hockey Pro League match against India. The error happened on June 23, 2026, at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London.
Before the game started, players from both teams stood for their national anthems. Organisers displayed Pakistan’s flag without its white stripe. This white part of the flag stands for religious minorities and is an important symbol of the country. Many fans and officials noticed the mistake right away and shared their disappointment on social media.
FIH Pro League Director Hilary Atkinson quickly sent a letter to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani. In the letter, she said sorry without any excuse. “We apologise unreservedly for this error,” she wrote. She explained that the flag is a symbol of national pride and identity. FIH took full responsibility for the operational mistake and promised to review their processes to stop such things from happening again.
PHF stressed the need for accuracy and respect in international sports. The match itself was exciting, with India winning 4-3, but the flag issue became the main talk.
