Kolkata: The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) disciplinary committee Tuesday banned East Bengal forward Jobby Justin and Aizawl FC defender Kareem Omolaja for six matches while Gokulam Kerala FC midfielder Guilherme Castro was suspended for a year.
Justin and Omolaja were fined Rs 1 lakh for spitting on each other during their I-League clash while Castro was fined Rs 2 lakh for spitting on the referee.
It no doubt is a huge blow for East Bengal as they will miss the Kerala striker in their last crucial I-League game against Gokulam FC which will be played Saturday. Justin has scored nine goals for East Bengal this season.
In the match between East Bengal and Aizawl, Justin and Omolaja clashed against each other and the referee showed two yellow cards in succession to the defender and sent him off. The first was for a rash tackle on Justin and the second for dissent.
Later, Aizawl submitted video evidence to AIFF trying to show that Justin had spat on Omolaja.
“The video evidence was carefully examined and the disciplinary committee decided on the bans,” I-League CEO Sunando Dhar told this agency.
After 19 matches, East Bengal have 39 points, one adrift of leaders Chennai City FC. So if the Kolkata giants win their last game and Chennai City FC either lose or draw their game against Minerva Punjab, they will emerge champions. Hence the loss of Justin in the all-important game is certainly a huge loss to East Bengal.