Raykov now suspended till the end of the season

The Malta FA late last night lifted the referees' ban imposed on Gozitan football after the council was satisfied with the action taken by the GFA Disciplinary Board which revised Todor Raykov's case.

The GFA board had originally reduced Raykov's three-month ban to one month. But after revising their decision yesterday the Bulgarian coach received an even heftier punishment than that imposed by the MFA.

Raykov has now been suspended for the rest of the season and warned that if the offence is repeated he would be banned for five years and fined Lm500.

Furthermore, the GFA fined Kercem Ajax Lm100 which would be increased to Lm500 if the same offence was repeated.

The case dates back to a December 28 league match between Kercem Ajax and Xewkija Tigers, won by the latter 1-0 when Ajax coach Raykov was ordered off his bench by referee Anton Zammit.

In a December 31 ruling, he was handed a three-month ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner. But when Kercem lodged an appeal, his suspension was reduced 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.

On Tuesday, the MFA imposed a disciplinary measure on the GFA when ordering its referees not to officiate matches in Gozo until this issue was resolved.

Following yesterday's ruling the situation in the GFA will return to normal this weekend when a full programme of matches will be played.