India head coach Igor Stimac to serve just one-match ban, to return at helm against Kuwait in SAFF Championships | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Head coach Igor Stimac is set to make his comeback to the India dugout in the upcoming match against Kuwait on Tuesday. This follows his one-match suspension for receiving a red card during the team’s SAFF Championships opener against Pakistan in Bengaluru.
According to Anwarul Huq, the General Secretary of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), Stimac’s offense was deemed not severe enough to warrant a ban extending beyond one match. Consequently, the matter will not be forwarded to the SAFF Disciplinary Committee for additional measures.
“He (Stimac) will serve a one-match ban, not more than that,” he said from Dhaka on Thursday.
He said the report of the referee and match commissioner mentioned the scuffle during the match which had led to Stimac’s expulsion from the field of play but it would not be sent to the SAFF Disciplinary Committee.

“It (the offence) was not so serious that it would merit referring the matter to the Disciplinary Committee (for a harsher punishment).”
Stimac, a vastly experienced coach and 1998 World Cup bronze medallist for Croatia, interfered when Pakistan player Abdullah Iqbal was ready to make a throw-in. He tried to pull back the ball from the player, sparking wild reactions from some Pakistani players as well as some coaching staff.
The referee Prajwal Chhetri and other match officials had to intervene to separate the intensely sparring individuals.
As the scuffle was brought under control referee Chhetri showed red card to Stimac, as per the football rules, for interrupting with the actions of an opposition player deliberately.
Stimac could not stand on the sideline for the rest of the match, with former India defending Mahesh Gawli doing the duty on the touchline.
Gawli will also take charge of the Indian team against Nepal on Saturday before Stimac returns for the last group match against Kuwait.
A red card (direct or indirect) generally attracts one-match ban for a player or coach but the punishment can be increased up to suspension of four matches if the offence is grave.
(With PTI Inputs)