New Delhi: FC Pune City head coach Ranko Popović has been suspended for four matches and fined Rs 5 lakhs with immediate effects for the club’s upcoming games in the fourth edition of the Indian Super League.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee found FC Pune City coach Popovic to have breached Article 50 (misconduct against match officials) and Article 58 (offensive behaviour and fair play) for his remarks made against Match Officials at the post-match press conference in Goa after Pune’s win against FC Goa.
“Mr. Ranko Popovic, Head Coach of FC Pune City is fined Rs 5,00,000 (Five Lakh INR) and is suspended for 4 (four) matches of FC Pune City, from the date of this decision. The amount should be deposited to All India Football Federation within 10 days from the date of communication of this decision and until such payment, the match suspension to continue, over and above 4 match suspension,”said an AIFF Disciplinary Committee’s communication to the club.
The Serbian tactician following his team’s 2-0 victory over hosts FC Goa had lashed out at the referee for not sending off Goan midfielder Ahmed Jahouh in the first-half after the latter’s rough foul on Ferran Corominas.
“If you want to talk about how many fouls they made in the game; in two games we got players sent off for nothing. Today what is this, rugby? Who was the referee protecting? Are there different rules for Pune City,” said Popović as quoted by Goal.com.
According to the Pune gaffer, “The number 5 (Ahmed Jahouh) had to be sent off in 10 or 15 minutes but I am very happy because we behaved as gentlemen. We didn’t make any rough fouls.”
Not stopping there the 50-year-old added, “We have to protect ourselves if someone (referee) doesn’t have respect for us.”
However his comments were taken to have been offensive and as a result Popović will miss Pune’s next three away matches against NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC and another home match against ATK.