Australia pull out of Champions Trophy

New Delhi: Olympic hockey champions Australia have pulled out of the six-nation Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan citing security fears.

Hockey Australia made the decision not to participate in the December tournament based on Australian foreign ministry advice against travelling to Pakistan.

"It was a board decision. The players and coaching staff have been made aware of it, and at this stage I haven't heard any adverse reaction to it," said Hockey Australia chief executive Linden Adamson.

It is the third time that Australia decided against sending its team to Pakistan because security fears.

Australia had also declined to play in 2004 in Lahore, and in the 2001 event, which was subsequently shifted to Rotterdam.

The Pakistan hockey board has called Australia's pullout an overreaction.

(With inputs from PTI)