Qormi FC president Redeno Apap has expressed his shock after being slapped with a two-match touchline ban over comments he made in front of his players at the end of the 1-1 draw with rivals Żebbuġ Rangers at the Hibs Stadium on Monday.
In a note attached to his match report, referee Chris Lautier wrote: “Mr Redeno Apap, club official of Qormi, at the end of the game walked to the centre of the pitch and, in a sarcastic manner, began stopping the players of his team and directing remarks at us: ‘Leave these alone, it’s a waste of time. God will deal with these’ while pointing towards the sky.”
The Malta FA Disciplinary Commissioner’s decision to impose a two-match ban has inflamed Apap to the point that the long-serving president is considering walking away from the game if the suspension is not overturned.
“I’m stupefied by the referee’s match report,” Apap told Times of Malta yesterday.
“I didn’t say anything wrong nor did I speak against the match officials or, for that matter, any other individual.
“I’m also very surprised that the (MFA) Disciplinary Commissioner has decided to suspend me for two games as there is no indication whatsoever in the report that I had committed an office or shown aggressive behaviour.
“I said this to my players at the end of the game: “God is great, He knows what He’s doing and He will judge everyone.
“I believe that these are common phrases in a country that is predominantly Catholic.”
While acknowledging that referees have a difficult job, Apap, who is also Qormi’s representative in the MFA Council and sits on the association’s Executive Committee, has been at pains to understand why he has been sanctioned.
“I know that they (referees) have big res-ponsibilities and I appreciate the sacrifice they make,” the Qormi president added.
“But I don’t deserve this punishment. After all, I took the pressure off the match officials by instructing my players to come near me.”
Malta FA regulations preclude clubs and officials from appealing bans of up to two games but Apap has vowed to challenge the decision.
“I will try to appeal,” he said.
“According to the rules, I can’t revoke the ban but my argument is that the regulation cited in the Disciplinary Commissioner’s decision is inapplicable.
“The referee’s report said that I was being sarcastic but that was definitely not the case.
“I never mention God in a sarcastic way.
“If I had committed a mistake, I would have admitted it and apologised.
“When, in the past, I was banned from the touchline, I never spoke out because I knew I had made a mistake but this punishment is very unfair.
“If nothing is done to correct this injustice, I don’t think I will remain in football.
“It would make no sense for me to keep dedicating most of my time to my club and the local game.
“If there are no developments, I will take time to reflect and make a decision not only for my own good but also for the club.”
Apart from Apap, Qormi defender Zoran Levnaic was also handed a one-match ban yesterday.
Levnaic was neither booked nor dismissed during the derby but Lautier claimed in his report that the Serb “confronted us in the middle of the pitch and started protesting with me and the rest of the officials.
“He continued to protest and incite his team-mates with his attitude until we walked into the dressing room.”
Levnaic was one of eight Premier League players to receive a one-match ban yesterday.
Balzan will be without two first-choice players for their clash with leaders Hibernians on Saturday.
Nigerian midfielder Ice Cream Osa Guobadia was sent off for two bookings in the 2-0 defeat to Valletta on Saturday while Justin Grioli collected his fourth booking during the same game.
Ledesma dismissal
Birkirkara playmaker Rafael Ledesma will skip Saturday’s match against Floriana following his bizarre sending-off after being substituted during Monday’s 1-0 win over Sliema Wanderers.
Referee Alan Mario Sant booked Ledesma for time-wasting as the Brazilian walked towards the touchline to be replaced by Vyacheslav Shevchenko.
Ledesma reacted by sarcastically applauding match official who promptly brandished the yellow card for a second time followed by the red.
Floriana will be without young midfielder Brooke Farrugia, sanctioned after getting his fourth booking in his side’s 1-1 draw against Tarxien Rainbows.
Sliema Wanderers midfielder Andrea Pisanu was also sanctioned for four yellow cards.
The Italian will miss Sliema’s match against Naxxar Lions on Saturday.
Dylon Agius, of Pieta, and Qormi’s Gillmore Azzopardi, both unused substitutes in their teams’ last games, were given a one-match ban as their medical clearance form had not been filed at the Malta FA.