A Naxxar FC committee member who attacked a referee in the final minutes of a knockout match has been fined €200 and banned from the stadium for a year.

Marvic Stivala, 27, pleaded guilty to assaulting and slightly injuring referee Paul Apap during Tuesday’s match between Naxxar and Żejtun at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali.

The semi-final match, played between second and third division teams, was abandoned three minutes into injury time after Mr Stivala ran onto the pitch and rammed into Mr Apap.

The attack occurred after several Naxxar players had surrounded the referee to contest a decision taken by match officials in injury time. During the commotion, Żejtun players quickly scored a goal, which Mr Apap allowed to stand.

This decision sparked further protests from the Naxxar players and officials, while some of their supporters hurled seats onto the pitch. Mr Stivala ran out onto the pitch and assaulted Mr Apap.

Mr Stivala, of Naxxar, pleaded guilty to disobeying police orders, acting beyond the limits of provocation, breaching the peace and using vulgar language in public.

Magistrate Antonio Mizzi fined him €200 and banned him from the football ground for a year.

Police Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted while lawyer Ramona Frendo appeared for Mr Stivala.

The “violent acts” were condemned by the Malta Football Referees Association.