The All India Football Federation on Saturday slapped suspensions and fines on FC Goa marquee player Robert Pires, Atletico de Kolkata striker Fikru Lemessa and head coach Antonio Lopez Habas for offensive behaviour during the ill-tempered Indian Super League encounter in Margao on Thursday.
Pires and Fikru were fined Rs 5,00,000 each and suspended for the next two ISL matches.
Kolkata coach Habas was handed a fine of Rs 5,00,000 and suspended for four matches while goalkeeping coach Predipkumar Bhaktawer was fined Rs 30,000 and slapped with a one-match ban for breach of League Rule 22.2.
They have four days to appeal against the AIFF disciplinary committee decision.
Fikru was punished for head-butting Goa FC defender Gregory Arnolin during the ISL encounter. Arnolin was spared any action due to inconclusive video evidence.
The head-butting incident surprisingly went unnoticed by American referee Christopher Prenso and there is a possibility that the MLS referee and his two assistants could be withdrawn from their next assignment in the ISL.
Pires and Habas were also involved in a tussle in the tunnel during halftime. FC Goa coach Zico had alleged that Pires was punched on the face by Habas during the ugly incident.
The AIFF disciplinary committee found that Pires, Fikru and Habas had breached the Disciplinary Code (Article 58) of Offensive Behaviour and Fair Play.
It was also the second time that Habas was found in breach of the disciplinary code. The AIFF disciplinary committee had earlier warned Habas on 18 October.
