In a big embarrassment for Indian hockey, players of Punjab Police and Punjab National Bank on Monday got involved in an ugly brawl during the final of the 56th Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey tournament, prompting the organisers to impose bans on both the sides.

The brawl started in the third quarter of the match while PNB was on the attack inside the Punjab Police circle. Both teams were locked at 3-3 at that point of time.

The players exchanged blows and fought with sticks inside the turf for a while before the tournament officials rushed to douse the fire.

The match continued following a brief interruption with eight players on each side after the on-field umpires showed red cards to three players each from both teams.

The organisers further added that they will ask management of both the teams to take strict action against the “errant” players”.The incident didn’t go down well with Hockey India, which immediately sought a detailed report from its Tournament Director Mahesh Kumar.

Dismayed and disturbed by the incident, the managing committee of the Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament Society decided to impose bans on both the teams.

“It is therefore decided to suspend both the teams from participating in the tournament. Punjab Police has been suspended for a period of four years while PNB has been banned for two years,” the tournament orgainsers said in a statement.

“We are waiting for the official report from the tournament officials and on its basis Hockey India will take necessary action,” HI CEO Elena Norman said.