Eighteen players were handed a one-match ban yesterday over their failure to take the compulsory medical test as stated in MFA regulations.

Four of the sanctioned players, who will remain suspended until they regularise their position, are on the books of Premier League clubs and the other 14 are from the lower leagues.

The four from the Premier are Floriana winger Igor Coronado, Demba Toure, the striker who made his debut for Valletta in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Hibs, and Ħamrun Spartans duo Massimo Grima and Glenn Azzopardi.

The revised penalties for players and clubs in breach of the MFA’s medical regulations came into force after the subject was discussed at length during the association’s council meeting last month.

It was decided then that, every Tuesday, two over-18 players from every senior team (men and women in all divisions) who participated in an official MFA match in the preceding eight days, will be drawn by lot.

The players, according to their position on the teamsheet (example: player listed sixth and 11th on teamsheet of club A in match against club B), are sub-jected to a verification exercise.

Meanwhile, five other Premier League players were suspended for footballing reasons.

Valletta midfielder Ryan Fenech has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash with joint-leaders Birkirkara after collecting his fourth yellow card last weekend.

Rodolfo Soares, the Hibernians defender, also received a one-match ban following his sending-off in Saturday’s game against Valletta.

Birkirkara wing-back Ryan Camenzuli, Qormi midfielder Edison Bilbao Zarate and Sliema forward Luigi Ruggiero were given a one-match ban for four yellow cards.