Player banned for punching referee

Brazilian footballer Tiago Loquete, who used to play for Mellieħa, was yesterday fined €1,000 and banned from playing football for nine months after admitting to punching a referee on Sunday.

He was also conditionally discharged for one year and ordered not to approach or speak to the victim against a personal guarantee of €233.

The incident took place on Sunday afternoon during the Bank of Valletta Division Two match between promotion candidates Mellieħa and Gudja United. The match was abandoned at half-time after Mr Loquete attacked referee Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Mr Loquete had been booked for a foul late in the first half and then continued to protest his innocence with the referee as the two teams were making their way to the dressing rooms of the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali.

As Mr Farrugia Cann was about to book Mr Loquete for a second time, which would have resulted in a red card, the player punched him the face and then continued to attack him while on the ground.

During the sitting yesterday, defence lawyer Robert Abela told Magistrate Miriam Hayman that his client had learnt his lesson and that the fact that he had been arraigned under arrest would serve as a deterrent.

He had already been suspended from his football club and this was also a punishment, the lawyer said.

On the other hand, Police Inspector Daryl Borg asked the court to hand down a fine and to ban him from playing football.

Magistrate Hayman banned him from football pitches for nine months, conditionally discharged him for one year, fined him €1,000 and ordered that he keep away from the victim for one year against a personal guarantee of €233.