Fenech hit with three-match ban

The three Valletta players who saw red in the 2-0 upset to Hibs received suspensions of varying length yesterday.

Ryan Fenech was the worst hit as he has been banned for three games. The Malta midfielder marred his return from injury by earning a red card for dissent in the dying moments of Sunday’s pulsating match.

Television images showed referee Andre Arciola brandishing the yellow card followed by the red after Fenech had patted him on the shoulder in the aftermath of Steve Borg’s sending-off.

Borg, who was dismissed for a last-man foul, was given a one-match ban.

Valletta captain Gilbert Agius was suspended for two games after he was given a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Andrew Cohen in the opening half.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, has a selection headache ahead of Saturday’s match against Mqabba as, besides the suspended trio, he is also without striker Michael Mifsud, who is sidelined with a ham-string injury, and defender Ramon still recovering from a long-term groin problem.

Hibs’ left-back Adrian Pulis was banned for one match after he was sent off for two bookable offences in his side’s win over Valletta. The veteran will miss the derby against Tarxien on Sunday.

The Rainbows will be without Orosco Anonam and Justin Grioli.

Anonam has been given a one-match ban following his sending-off in the 1-0 defeat of Mosta while Grioli has been suspended for four yellow cards.

Balzan’s Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho was slapped with a two-match suspension for his dismissal in the 2-1 defeat to Mqabba, his second red card in five matches.

Two other Premier League players, Ħamrun Spartans striker Anderson Ribeiro and Sliema’s Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, have also been given a one-match ban after both collected their fourth booking in last weekend’s matches.