Pune: The All India Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee on Friday suspended Pune City head coach Ranko Popovic with immediate effect pending further inquiry for his comments of referees.
Disciplinary Committee chairman Ushanath Banerjee, while reviewing the latest public comments made by coach Ranko Popovic against the referee and match officials, issued the sanction order.
In a communication to the club, Banerjee stated, “Having considered the utterances against the decisions of the Referee and the Match Officials, it prima facie appears that Mr. Ranko Popovic has breached the Disciplinary Code and the Law of Game with impunity amounting to gross misconduct.”
“On earlier occasion, Mr. Popovic was held guilty of abusing and insulting Match Officials and was imposed with sanctions. Even thereafter, he continued with his obdurate acts resulting warning. The instant subject matters are thus 3rd instance of breach.”
Despite Pune City’s stellar run this season, Popovic have not been in the good books of the tournament heads. Having already been suspended twice before for the same reason — of speaking against and ill about referees and match officials — the Serb has once again stepped into hot waters that too before Pune’s most-important semi-final fixture against Bengaluru.
Banerjee further added, “Accordingly, issue Show Cause Notice for repeat breaches and he is to reply within 9/3/2018 and appear for hearing before the Committee on 16th March 2018 at Football House, Delhi. In the meanwhile pending final decision of the Committee, Mr Ranko Popovic to remain suspended under Article 21 and 22 of the Code.”
Popovic, prior to the Pune vs Bengaluru match on on Wednesday had asked the match referees and officials to show him some respect.
“I have an experience of 40 years in football. I played my first professional game when I was just eleven years old. I don’t know if referees are even 40 years old,” he had said.
” I just want some respect. They don’t feel football the same way we do it. The referee cannot lose his job because of my mistake but I can lose mine because of his mistake. So who deserves more respect?” The Serb had explained taking a dig at the referees.
Pune City next play Bengaluru FC at the latter’s home on Sunday. The first leg had ended in a goalless draw.