Hockey qualifiers end in disarray as officials get confused over the rules

"Well, at least you have a good story," sniffed the beleaguered tournament official in the direction of the press corps in Amiens on Saturday evening as she limped by.

The most significant news to emerge from the farce in to which the Women's Hockey World Cup qualifier descended over the weekend was that Ireland has qualified for next year's finals in Perth, Australia.

There were, however, no scenes of jubilation in the bemused Irish camp after they had been awarded a walkover in the play-offs when Lithuania refused to turn up for a replay of the penalty strokes competition they had "won" following Saturday's 2-2 draw between the teams.

The incensed Lithuanians, victims of an abject display of incompetence by match officials, are now threatening to take the International Hockey Federation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Meanwhile the Russians were threatening to withdraw from their final against England in protest at Lithuania's treatment.

The controversy began after five officials - two umpires, the tournament's Technical Officer and two judges - ignored Irish captain Rachael Kohler's advice that they were in breach of basic hockey federation rules by asking Ireland to "go first" right throughout the penalty strokes competition.

After 10 strokes - there were 22 in all - the sequence should have changed and Lithuania should have gone first. It didn't, so, after losing the shootout 5-6, Ireland lodged a appeal, winning 2.5 hours later, by which time Lithuania were back celebrating in their hotel.

When informed that they would have to replay the strokes competition, Lithuania said something to the effect of "Not on your nelly." They remained in their hotel while the Irish team waited for them in Amiens yesterday morning, leaving the federation with no option but to "consider Lithuania as having withdrawn from the classification matches".

"I asked the table if they knew all the regulations. They said: "Yes, we know exactly". Afterwards they explained to me that they had made a mistake," said an ashen-faced Claire Peeters-Monseu, the Tournament Director, yesterday. Do you agree this is a farce, shameful and a huge embarrassment for the hockey federation? "Mmm," she pondered. "Yes. Yes I do."