New Delhi: Former French and Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires was on Saturday suspended for two matches after a bust-up with a rival coach during half-time in an Indian Super League football match, organisers said.
The incident took place between Pires, who plays for FC Goa, and Atletico Kolkata coach Antonio Lopez Habas during the break of an ill-tempered match in Goa last Thursday.
Brazilian great Zico, who coaches FC Goa, said after the game that Pires mentioned he was hit on the face by Habas as the teams came off the field at half-time.
Read: Atletico de Kolkata coach punched Robert Pires
Habas was suspended for the next four matches by the league's disciplinary committee, while both Pires and he were fined 500,000 rupees (approx $8,177), a statement from the organisers said.
The Kolkata team's Ethiopian striker Fikru Lemessa was also banned for two matches and fined 500,000 rupees for an on-field scuffle in the same match, which his team won 2-1.
Here are the details of the individual punishments:
1. Robert Pirès of FC Goa has been suspended for the next two matches of the ISL and fined ?5,00,000 (Rupees five lakh) for breach of AIFF Disciplinary Code (Article 58) of Offensive Behaviour and Fair Play.
2. Fikru Lemessa of Atlético de Kolkata has been suspended for the next two matches of the ISL and fined ?5,00,000 (Rupees five lakh) for breach of AIFF Disciplinary Code (Article 58) of Offensive Behaviour and Fair Play.
3. Antonio López Habas, manager of Atlético de Kolkata, has been suspended for the next four matches of the ISL and fined ?5,00,000 (Rupees five lakh) for breach of AIFF Disciplinary Code (Article 58) of Offensive Behaviour and Fair Play for the second time. Habas was previously summoned and warned by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee under its Article 58, on October 18.
4. Predipkumar Bhaktawer, goalkeeping coach of Atlético de Kolkata, has been suspended for the next match of the ISL and fined ?30,000 (Rupees thirty thousand) for breach of League Rule 22.2.
