Indian Super League: Robert Pires banned for two matches
Saturday 25 October 2014 15:54, UK
Robert Pires has been banned for two games for his involvement in an altercation at the Indian Super League.
Pires, who is playing for FC Goa in the inaugural ISL season, was part of a flashpoint with Atletico de Kolkata coach Antonio Lopez Habas after their match on Thursday.
Goa coach Zico claimed the former Arsenal man had been punched by Habas, with both clubs submitting written reports to the ISL governing body on Friday.
Habas has been suspended for four games for his part in the incident, after a meeting of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) disciplinary committee on Saturday.
Pires and Habas were fined rupees just over £5,000 each, and each have four days to submit an appeal.
An AIFF statement read: "Robert Pires of FC Goa has been suspended for next two matches of Indian Super League and fined Rs 5,00,000 (Rupees Five Lakh) for breach of All India Football Federation disciplinary code (article 58) of offensive behaviour and fair play.
"Antonio Lopez Habas, head coach of Atletico de Kolkata has been suspended for next four matches of Indian Super League and fined Rs 500,000 (Rupees Five Lakh) for breach of All India Football Federation disciplinary code (article 58) of offensive behaviour and fair play for the second time. Antonio Lopez Habas was previously summoned with a warning by the AIFF's disciplinary committee under its article 58, earlier on October 18, 2014."
Atletico striker Fikru Lemessa, an Ethiopia international, was also confirmed to have been suspended for two games and fined for violent conduct - he headbutted an opponent during the same match.
