South Africa had opted not to take up their Olympics slot as they wanted their men's and women's teams to go through qualifying, and Malaysia believe that a deal would see Spain take that place in London next year.

According to the English language Malaysian paper New Straits Times, the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) alleged that a private deal between Spain and South Africa would see the Spanish compete at the Olympics while the African champions took their place in a qualifying tournament in Japan next April.

The same paper claims that MHF general manager Maninderjit Singh sent a letter to the FIH, in which he wrote: "This scenario is simply mind boggling as this private deal was never communicated or circulated to all teams who will be playing in the Olympic Qualifiers in India, Ireland and Japan.

"I suggested that the second placed team in the Asian Games (Malaysia) and the second placed team in Oceania play a best of three matches to decide the slot."

MHF also believe that Egypt should take South Africa's place if they cede it, and believe it should not automatically go to Europe.

Insidethegames understands that the FIH has not received this letter as yet, and confirmed that South Africa have to formally write to both them and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if they wish to relinquish their place at London 2012.

If they do so, Spain would take South Africa's place at the Games as the highest ranked men's team not to have qualified as yet, as per the rules of qualification.

It was for the same reason that Argentina took South Africa's women's spot in London last month, despite initially missing out following their defeat in the final of the Pan-American Games to the United States in Guadalajara.

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