No refs says MFA after coach's touchline ban reduced by two months

Yesterday's Easyline Division One match between Sannat Lions and Xewkija Tigers was called off a few hours before kick-off at the Gozo Stadium when GFA officials were informed that no referees were available as a disciplinary measure imposed by the Malta FA.

After an executive committee meeting on Monday, the Malta Football Referees Association was ordered not to send any of its officials for GFA competitions for the time being.

This drastic action, which could bring football competitions on the sister island to a standstill, was taken following a GFA Appeals Board decision to reduce a suspension, imposed by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner on Todor Raykov, by more than half.

Raykov, the Kercem Ajax coach and a former Xaghra United player, was ordered off his bench by referee Anton Zammit during a league match on December 28 against Xewkija, which the latter won 1-0.

In a December 31 ruling, he was handed a three-month ban but when Kercem lodged an appeal, his suspension was cut to one month by a GFA board.

According to the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner decision, Raykov was supposed to make his comeback on the touchline on March 30.

However, last weekend, he was allowed to lead Kercem from the bench, in a match which the Ajax lost 1-0 to Nadur, even though there were warnings of serious repercussions if the MFA decision was not observed.

An informed source at the MFA yesterday told The Times he was hopeful a solution would be found this week not to prolong the matter and disrupt next weekend's programme.

"This case was clear from the outset," he said. "An appeal against a sentence by the MFA could only be heard by the same body."

The executive committee action only affected GFA competitions yesterday as a trio of MRFA officials were in control of another match at the Gozo Stadium between Gozo FC and Mellieha from the MIA Division Two league.