RASHID ALI SIDDIQUI/AIPS in Karachi: Six Pakistan Police team footballers, who were involved in beating a FIFA referee during a match, have been banned for six matches and fined US$ 230 each.

The incident took place during the National Challenge Cup 2012 in Karachi at the Peoples International Stadium in a match between Pakistan Police and defending champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).

In the 10th minute FIFA referee Irshad-ul-Haq awarded a penalty after a serious foul by the police team, which infuriated some of the players. First they argued with the match referee and then attacked him and beat him, forcing the match commissioner Iqbal Baloch Junior to call off the game immediately.

Despite this grave incident of indiscipline, the Pakistan Football Federation did not name the violent players but  announced the sanctions imposed on them. The move was condemned by the other teams of the tournament and after pressure from local media and fans the PFF issued the names of guilty players: Saeed Ahmed, Muhammad Ishaq, Badshah Gul, Rasheed Ahmed, Alamgir Khan and Gul Daraz.

“The penalty has been imposed on the six players of Police by the Disciplinary Committee in view of their acts of violence/assault and rowdyism to set the example for other players with a view to promote the game of fair play,” said a statement from the tournament committee.

# # # #

First published at www.AIPSmedia.com

AIPS, the Association Internationale De La Presse Sportive, was founded in 1924 and serves sports journalists worldwide

# # # #