One match ban for Kiril Dzhorov

The MFA Disciplinary Commissioner suspended Floriana midfielder Kiril Dzhorov for one match. This one-match ban rules the Bulgarian midfielder of the next game for the Greens against Marsaxlokk.

Dzhorov was cautioned by referee Chris Lautier for unsporting behaviour after the player went to celebrate in front of the Birkirkara supporters.

Following this decision, Floriana FC issued a statement as it deemed this decision as unfair “when other inappropriate and at times even worse actions remained unpunished.”

Photo: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com

The statement says:

“Over the past few days Floriana Football Club through its player Kiril Dzhorov issued an apology to the Birkirkara clan for the inappropriate celebrations. Indeed, Floriana FC stands by such apology.

However the same club holds that it is unfair that the player has been suspended for one (1) premier league match, when other inappropriate and at times even worse actions remained unpunished. Moreover, up until the time of the issuance of this press-release, the club has not been officially informed of the suspension. The disciplinary board statement has been solely published on the MFA website. Floriana Football Club claims that, given that the match has been played on Saturday 18th September, the MFA disciplinary board should have issued such suspension earlier. All this has disrupted the plans of the Floriana FC technical staff.

Floriana Football Club hereby lodges an appeal to the football governing body to review its methodology of disciplinary action. In this day and age, clubs and players should be given the opportunity to defend themselves against all charges brought against them, else not the MFA disciplinary commission would be conducting its work-outs in breach of the basic legal principle of audi alteram partem, i.e. to hear both sides to the case. “

Meanwhile in the Second & Third Division Knock-Out, Kyle Gerada (Gzira) was banned for two matches while Ryan Debattista (Gharghur) and Emanuel Junior Sank (Pembroke) were suspended for one match.

Pembroke official Arthur Borg was banned for two matches while Zejtun assistant coach Alan Mifsud was banned for four.

In the Youth League, Edward Azzopardi (Attard), Cleavon Portelli (Gudja), Marklon Cauchi and Clint Portelli (St. George’s) and Justin Cilia (Zejtun) were suspended for one match. Tarxien coach Paul Bugeja was banned for two matches.