The action of German-born Brahmst, who had been Canada's driving force in getting them to the 5th-8th place play-off, reopened the old would that stemmed from the 1996 Olympic qualifying tournament in Barcelona, where India and Malaysia played out a highly controversial scoreless draw.

The draw, which the sport's ruling body FIH investigated but found it to be perfectly above board, meant that Malaysia took the fifth and final qualifying position with Canada in sixth.

"F... You for Barcelona," Bramhst screamed at Anil Aldrin, one of those who had played in Barcelona. Brahmst, who preferred to vent his spleen at the Indians rather than join his teammates in a deserved lap of honour, carried on his tirade making obscene gestures and mouthing further obscenities at a bemused and depressed Indian bench, whohad just been consigned to playing off for the 9th-12th places.

Brahmst, the 32-year-old marketing executive, who has played over 120 times for his country, was eventually quietened down when one of the Indians raised a hockey stick at him and their captain Dhanraj Pillay intervened. "Why don't you stop it. Look at the score, you won, isn't that enough?" Pillay said.

Brahmst's behaviour, which has cost him the chance to take on England tomorrow, removed the gloss from what has been a superb tournament for the Canadians, who have only lost one match and came back from 4-2 down to draw 4-4 with semifinalists Germany, and contradicted totally the words of their coach Shiaz Virjee after the Indian match.

"Field hockey is a small family and we all have to stick together so you can't hold grudges," he said.

Pakistan's Naveed Alam has also been given a one-match suspension as a result of a red card he received during their 1-3 defeat against Australia yesterday. He will be suspended for Pakistan's gameagainst Korea slated for tomorrow, a statement by FIH communications manager, Mary Coyle, said.