Hibs received mixed news on the disciplinary front yesterday as Brazilian playmaker Jackson Lima was handed a one-match ban but goalkeeper Mario Muscat escaped suspension.
The Paolites were facing the grim prospect of losing two key players for their top-of-the-table showdown with Valletta on Saturday after the MFA Executive Committee filed misconduct charges against Lima and Muscat over incidents during and after Hibs’ league defeat to Birkirkara last month.
The case against Lima was based on television footage showing the Brazilian making an obscene gesture during the afore-mentioned game.
Lima was given a one-match ban which rules him out of Saturday’s big match but Hibs have appealed the decision.
They are citing an irregularity in the procedure that led the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner to suspend Lima for one game.
As far as Muscat is concerned, he faced disciplinary action over disparaging remarks he allegedly made towards Paul Spiteri, the Valletta FC vice-president and MFA Executive Committee member.
The incident occurred outside the dressing rooms of the National Stadium soon after Hibs had lost 1-0 to Birkirkara.
Muscat, who served a one-match ban for four yellow cards in Hibs’ 4-1 defeat of Balzan Youths on Sunday, was spared suspension but he was removed from team captain for a one-month period and fined €20.
Like Hibs, Valletta will have to make do without a first-choice player for Saturday’s game after Steve Borg was suspended for one game.
Borg, a fixture in central defence for Valletta in the last two seasons, was sanctioned after collecting his fourth booking in the 2-0 derby win over Floriana on Saturday.
Six other Premier League players were suspended for one match yesterday.
Balzan’s Roderick Farrugia and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, of Sliema, have been punished after both were red-carded last week.
The other four players, Floriana midfielder Joseph Borg, Ħamrun Spartans striker Gaetan Spiteri, Mqabba midfielder David Fenech and Qormi winger Abubakar Bello-Osagie, picked their fourth caution in the last round of Premier League matches.