Misbehaving Priso gets two-match ban

Valletta striker Doding Priso was yesterday given a two-match ban and fined €25 by the Malta FA Disciplinary Commissioner.

The Cameroon forward caught the eye for the wrong reasons in the first half of Valletta's 2-0 victory over Hibernians in midweek after he was spotted kneeling at pitchside, close to the advertising hoardings in front of the Millennium Stand.

Priso's unusual position captured the attention of many at the National Stadium, including that of referee Alan Mario Sant who promptly showed the player a yellow card for leaving the pitch without his permission.

In his match report, Sant is believed to have written that he cautioned Priso for unsporting behaviour after he seemingly urinated against the advertising boards. Sant's observation led the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner to slap a one-match ban on Priso for his alleged misdemeanour.

Priso has been suspended for a total of two games as his booking in Wednesday's match was his fourth of the competition, thus triggering an automatic one-match suspension.

This means that Priso, who scored Valletta's second goal against Hibs to cement his position as the team's top marksman with eight goals, will have to miss the champions' matches against Tarxien Rainbows (Jan. 18) and Birkirkara (Jan. 24).

Valletta coach Paul Zammit will also be without Edmond Agius for his side's clash against Tarxien.

The midfielder was banned for one match yesterday after being red-carded in the dying minutes of Wednesday's top-of-the-table showdown.

Agius was sent off for aiming a lunge at Hibs' midfielder Rumen Galabov after the latter had fouled City captain Gilbert Agius.

Hibs also had two players on yesterday's suspensions list.

Malta forward Terrence Scerri has been suspended for one match after being dismissed 12 minutes into the second half of his team's 2-0 defeat to Valletta for making an obscene gesture towards opposing fans.

Uruguayan midfielder Christian Callejas also received a one-match ban after he collected his fourth booking in Wednesday's match.

Scerri and Callejas are now ineligible to play in Hibs' match against Hamrun Spartans tomorrow.