Nine Premier League players were banned by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner on Wednesday.

Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Rodolfo Soares (Hibs), Edison Bilbao Zarate (Qormi), Luigi Ruggiero (Sliema), Ryan Fenech (Valletta) were banned for one match after being sent off or after receiving a fourth yellow card. On the other hand, another four players – Igor Coronado (Floriana), Massimo Grima and Glenn Azzopardi (Hamrun), Demba Toure (Valletta) – were suspended for one game after failing to undergo a medical test. These players will remain suspended until they undergo this test.

Camenzuli, Fenech and Toure are ruled out of the weekend’s big match between Valletta and Birkirkara. Soares and Ruggiero will miss the game between Hibernians and Sliema. Zarate and Coronado will be unavailable for the match Qormi vs Floriana while Grima and Azzopardi are ruled out of Hamrun’s clash with Rabat.

Meanwhile Mead Mifsud (Birzebbuga), Douglas da Silva Silveira (Marsaxlokk), Angus Buhagiar (Naxxar), Cleavon Frendo (Pietà), Sheldon Grech (Vittoriosa) were handed a one-match ban in Division 1. Keith Bonello (Gudja), Kassim Suleman and Emiliano Lattes (Mqabba) were suspended after failing to undergo a medical test.

In Division 2, John Debattista (Fgura) and Gharghur coach Borislav Giorev were banned for two matches while Josef Dalli (Fgura), David Cauchi (Mellieha), Jonathan Mifsud (Pembroke), Rigers Ceka (Siggiewi), Luke Desira (Sta. Venera) and Roderick Spiteri (Zebbug) were banned for one match. Lee Galea (San Gwann) and Glenn Bonello (Zurrieq) were banned for one match after failing to undergo a medical test.

Jean Paul Lapira (Attard) was suspended for two matches in Division 3 while Lawrence Vella (Luqa), Sinclair Camilleri (Marsaskala), Stephen Place (Mdina), Vince Camilleri (Senglea), Brian Chetcuti (Santa Lucia), Adrian Dominicus (Ta’ Xbiex) were suspended for one match. Daniel Mizzi (Attard), Edmond Thornton (Luqa), Kirsten Brincat (Marsa), Stephen Place (Mdina), Chris Farrugia and Robert Darmanin (Qrendi), Brian Chetcuti and Antoine Sapiano (Santa Lucia), Robert Zammit (Swieqi) were banned for one game after failing to undergo a medical test.

In the case of all players who were suspended because of the medical test, these players will remain suspended until they undergo this test.

This is in accordance with the Competition Rules Clause 8 which states that

“(i) The Association shall have the right to establish that, prior to taking part in a competitive football match directly organized by the Association, players who are eighteen (18) years of age or more, must undergo a medical test, as specified by the Association from time to time, attesting that they are medically fit to play football.

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(iii) Once the player would have undergone the medical test as specified by the Association such player shall have the duty to file with the Association the Medical Clearance Form, duly signed by a medical doctor. The medical test will remain valid for a period of twenty four (24) months, starting on that date when the medical test is carried out.

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(v) If, after a football match directly organized by the Association, it is proved by the Association that a player included in the Referee’s Match Report did not have a valid Medical Clearance Form filed with the Association, such player shall be referred to the Disciplinary Commissioner of the Association.
(vi) The Disciplinary Commissioner shall suspend the player for one (1) match. Moreover such player shall remain suspended until he files a valid Medical Clearance Form with the Association. The Club of the player shall be fined twenty five euro (€25).”