The West German victory was the first title by a European nation since 1920 but was marred by the behavior of Pakistani players, fans, and officials after losing the final.
At the final whistle, Pakistani fans and officials invaded the pitch before assaulting West German police and stadium security, storming the tournament officials table and pouring a bucket of water over International Hockey Federation president Rene Frank, while the players destroyed their locker room and refused to wear their silver medals or face the West German flag as it was raised at the medal ceremony.
The eleven Pakistani players were banned for life from their national team, but after a high-level apology, the ban was reduced to two years, and eight of them played at the 1976 Olympics.[2]
It was the first-ever gold medal lost by either Pakistan or India, former rulers in this sport.
At the medal ceremony Pakistani players, as a protest against alleged biased and unfair decisions by the referee, put forth their foot to wear the medal then threw their silver medals at the floor and turned their backs as the German anthem played.