The patience of Negre with Hockey India appears to have finally snapped after the protracted dispute which has overshadowed the World Cup, which is currently being held in New Delhi.

Negre said: "The deadline [to hold elections] is May 31.

"After that we will suspend Indian hockey as a member of the FIH.

"It is a message to all warring parties to stop quarrelling, come together and hold elections."

Earlier, the FIH had said that an elected Hockey India should be in place before the start of the World Cup or the tournament would be taken away from the country.

However, the elections, scheduled to be held in the first week of February, had to be put on hold following a Rajasthan High Court order staying the minutes of a meeting where affiliations to State units had been finalised.

Several other court cases were also filed in different parts of the country and Hockey India was asked to sort out the mess to pave the way for affiliations and elections.

The FIH decided to continue to hold the World Cup in New Delhi but are now set to get tough in an effort to solve the problem.

Negre said: "We have 30 units who have completed the formalities.

"Only one unit has some problem and it goes to the court and stops the entire process.

"The majority suffers because of that.

"Everybody - the players, coaches, press - have a role to play."

Negre has held talks with India's Sports Minister M.S. Gill to try to find a resolution.

He said: "Mr. Gill was very supportive.

"He wanted that elections are held democratically, in a free and fair manner."


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