AIFF reduces Habas's ban, puts him on probation

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Friday reduced Atletico de Kolkata head coach Antonio Lopez Habas's four-match ban to two and put him on two-month probation from Oct 23. If Habas commits another infringement he would have to serve out his two-match ban again.

Habas had appealed to the AIFF against the four-match ban and the fine of Rs.50,000 slapped on him by the disciplinary committee for a tussle with FC Goa's Robert Pires during an Indian Super League (ISL) match in Goa, Oct 23.

"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. 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," the AIFF disciplinary committee said in a statement.

The AIFF disciplinary committee found that Pires and Habas had breached the Disciplinary Code (Article 58) of Offensive Behaviour and Fair Play. It was also the second time that Habas was found in breach of the disciplinary code. The AIFF disciplinary committee had earlier warned Habas Oct 18.