Incidents lead to hefty bans for Birżebbuġa trio

Birżebbuġa St Peter's promotion bid suffered a hammer blow yesterday when three of their players received lengthy bans for their part in the incidents that marred the Saints' top-of-the-table clash with Division Two Gżira United last Saturday.

Mark Ellul and Michael Ciappara, who were both sent off in the dying stages, have been suspended for eight months for confronting referee Gordon Barbara after the latter had awarded Gżira United a second penalty in a matter of minutes.

Chris Bernard Farrugia, who was also red-carded in the final stages of Saturday's game at the Centenary Stadium, received a four-month ban after he allegedly spat in the direction of the referee.

Coach Kenneth Costantino has been given a four-match touchline ban for his protests at the end of the game which Gżira won 3-2.

Birżebbuġa's Noel Tabone has been suspended for two matches and stripped of his captaincy until June 30 for showing dissent.

Thanks to their last-gasp victory on Saturday, the Maroons climbed into second place on 22 points, two behind leaders Lija Athletic and four above the fourth-placed Birżebbuġa.

On Tuesday, the Malta Football Referees' Association issued a statement deploring the attack on Barbara during Saturday's game.

Meanwhile, 10 Premier League players were suspended for one match yesterday. Bottom team Dingli Swallows will be without three players for Sunday's basement clash with Msida, namely Roderick Briffa, Kevin Borg and Shawn Tellus.

Msida will have to make do without two regular players after Kevin Mifsud and Adam Spiteri received a one-match suspension.

Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat and defender Aaron Xuereb will have to skip the champions' match against Floriana on Saturday while Qormi strikers Alfred Effiong and Camilo have been ruled out of Monday's encounter with Ħamrun Spartans.

Valletta's Luke Dimech completes the list of suspended players from Premier League clubs.

The former Malta defender is ineligible to face Tarxien Rainbows on Sunday.