Atletico de Kolkata request AIFF for concession in bans on Antonio Habas and Fikru

Coach Antonio Habas (L) was banned for 4 matches by the AIFF

Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Atletico de Kolkata has appealed for concession in the 4 and 2 match bans handed out to coach Antonio Habas and striker Fikru Tefera, respectively. Although a reduction in the ban seems unlikely, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has convened a special meeting of its disciplinary committee to discuss the matter.

The Kolkata pair were banned along with FC Goa’s Robert Pires after it was revealed that there was a heated argument in the tunnel at half-time, resulting in Habas punching Pires in the face.

Article 58 of the AIFF disciplinary regulations, which was imposed in this particular instance, clearly says, “Anyone who insults someone in anyway, especially by using offensive gestures or language, will be sanctioned with a match suspension. If the perpetrator is a player, he will be suspended for at least two (2) matches; if he is an official, he will be suspended for at least four (4) matches.”

Asked by Atletico de Kolkata to review decision

Kushal Das, AIFF general secretary, revealed that while FC Goa have appealed to the committee regarding Pires’ two match ban, the Sourav Ganguly co-owned franchise has only asked to review the decision.

“The committee is meeting again on Friday. Let's see how they deal with these reviews that the franchise has asked for. The appeals committee will meet at a later date and the chairman will take a decision but any appeal has no suspensive effect,” Das said to The Times of India.