East Bengal player and Chennaiyin FC midfielder Harmanjot Khabra has been suspended for three more matches -- apart from a one-match automatic suspension -- in the Indian Super League this season, a statement from the ISL has confirmed.
Khabra missed Chennaiyin FC's last game against FC Pune City; he will also miss the upcoming game against Kerala Blasters and the return leg games against FC Goa and NorthEast United FC.
The 26-year-old received a direct red card from the referee during his team's away game against NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium in Guwahati on 20 September. The utility player received the marching orders just before the half-time after reportedly foul-mouthing the referee.
The statement from the ISL mentioned that the Indian player "breached the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Disciplinary Code (Article 50) of Misconduct towards "match officials" game".
Khabra has also been fined Rs 3 lakh by the ISL, and as per ISL Article 22.2, both teams involved in the game -- Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United FC -- have been fined Rs 50,000 each for misconduct towards the other team.
Besides, the AIFF Disciplinary Committee has also handed Chennaiyin FC a fine of Rs 1 lakh for Team Misconduct (Article 53).
The game turned in favour of NorthEast United FC as the home side won the game 2-0 and also recorded their first win in the ISL in the process. The match didn't go very much in favour of the visitors in the discipline section, with more than five players receiving yellow cards in the game.
Chennaiyin FC -- the regular league leaders of last year -- are currently second in the table with three wins and three losses from their six games.
