I-League 2018-19: East Bengal's Jobby Justin to miss Real Kashmir tie, faces up to 6-match ban for spitting on Aizawl FC player

Forward Jobby Justin will miss East Bengal's key I-League 2018-19 fixture against Real Kashmir due to a suspension.

Jobby could face up to a six-match suspension if the AIFF Disciplinary Committee hands out a strenuous verdict on the player.

Jobby spat on his opponent Kareem Omolaja in the 70th minute of the East Bengal v Aizawl FC I-League game on Monday. Kareem committed a foul on Jobby and the Kerala striker reacted harshly, getting involved in a scuffle with the Aizawl defender.

Kareem was shown a second yellow card and sent off, while Jobby's offence went unnoticed by the pitch. Aizawl later complained about the incident to the match commissioner, who reported the incident to the AIFF.

However, upon reviewing the match footage, the AIFF DC has handed him and Kareem interim suspensions until March 3.

It's a huge blow for East Bengal as their title hopes hinge on this game against Real Kashmir.

Trailing leaders Chennai City FC by seven points with 3 games to play for East Bengal (while Chennai have to play two), East Bengal have to win all their remaining matches and hope Chennai City lose theirs.

Jobby Justin has been scored nine goals and is the leading Indian goalscorer this season. East Bengal could do with his presence on the field but unfortunately, that won't be the case on Feb 28 when East Bengal play Real Kashmir at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.

More than the fixture against Real Kashmir, East Bengal will be more worried about their Super Cup campaign.

If he faces a six-match ban, he could miss three matches of the Super Cup and only feature for East Bengal if they make the final (East Bengal will play their first match in the Round of 16 and they have 3 games to go in the I-League).

Spitting at/on an opponent is considered a serious infringement according to AIFF's Disciplinary Code and is a red card offence.

According to Article 49 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code, it invites a suspension of at least six matches and also a fine of more than Rs 20,000.