Naxxar Lions official gets five-year ban

The Naxxar Lions FC official who was arraigned in court in midweek for his part in the Division Two-Three KO semi-final rumpus at the Centenary Stadium, was yesterday suspended by the Malta Football Association for five years. On Wednesday, Marvic...

The Naxxar Lions FC official who was arraigned in court in midweek for his part in the Division Two-Three KO semi-final rumpus at the Centenary Stadium, was yesterday suspended by the Malta Football Association for five years.

On Wednesday, Marvic Stivala pleaded guilty to assaulting and slightly injuring referee Paul Apap during Tuesday evening’s cup tie against Żejtun Corinthians who were leading 2-0 when the incident happened.

The court banned Stivala, 27, from the stadium for a year and fined him €200. The Malta FA Disciplinary Board yesterday opted for a heftier sanction and suspended the Naxxar official from the game until April 28, 2016.

Another Naxxar committee member, Dione Drago, has been banned until September 28 and midfielder Andre Rocha da Silva has been suspended from all football activities until December for violent conduct.

The match was abandoned three minutes into stoppage time when Żejtun scored their second goal which was hotly contested by the Naxxar players.

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