Premier League club Floriana have suspended Daniel Bogdanovic for 28 days after the Malta striker was involved in a training ground bust-up with an unnamed team-mate.
“We have suspended Daniel Bogdanovic for 28 days following a serious training ground incident,” Steve Vaughan Jr, the Floriana president, told Times of Malta.
“Over the coming days and weeks, we will be reviewing the evidence of the incident before making a final decision.”
It has been reported that Bogdanovic, 33, came to blows with a team-mate after the two clashed during training at the ground of Division Three club Sta Luċija on Wednesday evening.
The ban represents a further blow for club and player in what has been a difficult season for both so far.
Floriana are second from bottom in the BOV Premier League table on two points after starting the season with a six-point penalty.
For his part, Bogdanovic has been hampered by a series of niggling injuries for much of the past year.
After enhancing his footballing reputation during a successful spell with English club Barnsley a few years back, Bogdanovic has struggled to rediscover his best form since returning to Maltese football last year to join Mosta.
After recuperating from a fractured foot, Bogdanovic signed for Valletta last January but terminated his contract prematurely to concentrate on his recovery from injury after failing to make an impact for the Citizens.
In the summer, Bogdanovic, who has not featured for Malta since the 2014 World Cup qualifying 2-0 defeat to Italy in Modena on September 11, 2012, joined Floriana on a two-year deal but news of his involvement in a training ground fight and the ensuing 28-day club ban have cast serious doubts over his future with the Greens.
Bogdanovic, who looked to have recovered well from his latest injury, is keeping his counsel. Sources told Times of Malta that the forward this week wrote to the Malta FA claiming unpaid wages by Floriana.
Floriana, who drew 0-0 with Balzan in their last BOV Premier League match before the international break, play Mosta at the Tedesco Stadium on Sunday.
Bov Division One
Today (Tedesco Stadium): 6pm Lija Athletic vs Gudja United; 8.15pm St George’s vs Birżebbuġa St Peter’s.