Ban on Antonio Habas reduced to 2 games; no change on Robert Pires, Fikru Lemessa

New Delhi: All India Football Federation on Friday reduced the four-match suspension handed on Atletico de Kolkata head coach Antonio Lopez Habas to two games after an appeal hearing pertaining to the breach of disciplinary code during the ongoing Indian Super League.

The two-match bans on players Robert Pires (FC Goa) and Fikru Lemessa (Atletico de Kolkata) and one-match suspension on ATK goalkeeping coach Predipkumar Bhaktawer remained the same as the AIFF Disciplinary Committee did not make any other change in their earlier order of October 25.

Habas, however, will be put under "probation" for two months and if he commits another infringement, he will have to serve the full four-match suspension as prescribed under the initial decision of the AIFF Disciplinary Committee.

Both the players and the coach were involved in ugly altercations during an ill-tempered match between Atletico de Kolkata and FC Goa at Margao on October 23.

"The Chairman of AIFF Disciplinary Committee decided the following today i.E. Friday, 31st Oct 2014 in the review petitions filed by both teams under Article 143 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code against order dated 25.10.2014: Antonio Lopez Habas, Head Coach of Atletico de Kolkata shall serve the suspension of 4 (four) matches as under:- Suspension for 2 (two) consecutive matches of ISL played or shall be played by the team after 23rd Oct 2014, as per fixture of ISL," a release said.

"Further, implementation of sanction of remaining two matches shall remain suspended for a probationary period of two months from 23rd Oct 2014. During this two months probation period, if Antonio Lopez Habas commits another infringement, the suspension shall be automatically revoked and the sanction applied; it will be added to the new sanction pronounced for the new infringement," it added.

The fine of Rs 5 lakh imposed on Habas and the two players remains the same.

Habas and Pires were reportedly involved in an altercation in the tunnel when the two teams left for the half-time break in the ATK vs FC Goa match at Margao on October 23. Later, FC Goa coach Zico alleged that former France international and Arsenal legend Pires was punched by Habas during the altercation.