India's hockey chief Narinder Batra has launched an extraordinary verbal attack on Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth, labelling the Australian a loose cannon and declaring he needs psychological treatment.
Batra was fuming after hearing of Charlesworth's criticism of the poor crowds at the inaugural World League Finals in India.
Charlesworth, who is considered a legend of Australian hockey after a decorated playing and coaching career, also pointed out problems with the timing of the event, which he said was supposed to be played in December.
Batra said Charlesworth needed to be taught some manners.
"I don't react to what Ric Charlesworth says because he is a loose cannon," Batra told the Press Trust of India.
"He himself does not know what he is saying. I just ignore whatever he says.
"He might be a genius in hockey but, in communication skills, he is very poor. He needs to go back to school to learn basics.
"I think he needs to learn what language one speaks when he travels to a different country.
"We don't react or say something bad about a country when we see poor crowd turnout.
"It's that country's problem.
"That man needs some mental and psychological treatment."
Hockey Australia chief executive Cam Vale labelled the comments inappropriate, and said he would speak to Hockey India at the end of the World League Finals to discuss the outburst.
Charlesworth had reportedly described the poor crowds as a disgrace.
"I take strong objection to it," Batra said.
"This is a strong word he is using against my country and you can't say such things about my country."
And he also wasn't happy about visiting nations complaining about their players falling sick during their time in India.
Several Australian players were hit by a stomach bug before the tournament started.
"You can't blame my country for a player falling sick. Why do you blame our country for each and everything?" Batra asked.
The Kookaburras' gold medal hopes ended with a 4-3 loss to the Netherlands in Friday night's semi-final.
The Netherlands will meet surprise packets New Zealand in the decider after the Kiwis beat England in a penalty shootout after scores were locked at 3-3 at fulltime.
Australia will take on England on Saturday in a playoff for bronze.
Charlesworth, who guided the Hockeyroos to two Olympic gold medals, is set to step down as Kookaburras coach after this year's Commonwealth Games.
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