Valerio Senatore’s unseemly act during Balzan’s league game against Qormi has led to him receiving a one-match ban.

The Italian goalkeeper played no part in Balzan’s 1-0 win on Saturday but was shown a red card by referee Marco Borg after fourth official Luke Portelli signalled that Senatore had committed an offence while warming up.

Sources told Times of Malta that Senatore, who joined Balzan in the close season after a one-year spell with Floriana, was given his marching orders in the second half after being spotted relieving himself near the warm-up area.

Balzan, the Premier League leaders, are expected to fine Senatore for his misdemeanour.

Meanwhile, five other top-flight players were handed a one-match ban yesterday.

Mosta forward Edin Murga and Angus Buhagiar, of Naxxar Lions, will miss the derby on October 17 after both were sent off last weekend.

Murga was dismissed for two yellow cards in the final stages of Mosta’s 4-1 win over Hibs while Buhagiar was shown a straight red after bringing down the goalbound Leighton Grech in the penalty area during Naxxar’s 5-1 mauling to Pembroke Athleta.

Tarxien wing-back Alex Alves was also suspended for one game after being sent off for two cautions in his team’s 3-1 defeat to Valletta on Saturday.

Alves’s Spanish team-mate, Carlos Menendez Hevia, was handed a one-match ban for four yellow cards along with Sliema Wanderers’ Brazilian forward Pedrinho.