Ken Cefas, a defender with Compadres was yesterday slapped with a five-year ban for striking referee Jevan Gosine during a Central Football Association (CFA) Hugo Francis Memorial Knock-Out Cup match on December 6 at Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas.
But Compadres manager/player Kevon Joseph is arguing the punishment was too harsh, particularly as Cefas did not commit the infringement for which he was penalised.
Cefas, a central defender for the CFA Ramsingh's FA Cup winners, came on as a second-half substitution in a match against Leeds FC and was almost immediately cautioned by referee Gosine for a dangerous tackle which cost him a yellow card.
But with 11 minutes left on the stop clock, Cefas was given marching orders, apparently for his second bookable offence for an apparent dangerous tackle. However, Cefas appeared angered by the referee's call and allegedly struck the referee dislodging the whistle out of his hands.
It is reported that referee Gosine also suffered a fractured index finger on his right hand.
The incident brought a premature end to the game with Compadres leading 2-0. Guardian Sports understands that Gosine later made a report to the Chaguanas Police Station, before seeking medical attention at the nearby Medical Institution. The matter was later sent to the Disciplinary Committee of the CFA.
Yesterday, Joseph said he believed the punishment was too harsh as there were more severe incidents that took place in the League that went unpunished. He said the punishment was issued to the wrong player but Gosine did not listen to them.
"Cefas did not commit the foul and we tried telling the referee that, but the player, however, did react angrily by confronting the referee to get his point across. It was by pure accident that as he (Cefas) raised his hand to make a point, it struck the referee on the hand and injured his finger. It all happened by accident," Joseph told Guardian Sports, yesterday.
Joseph who is also the Compadres captain, questioned why the game was being replayed last night when Cefas had already received a hefty ban.
The four-man disciplinary committee comprising Colin Partap (Chairman), Cecil County, Rekish Julipsingh and Eustace Joseph ruled that Cefas be given a five-year ban yesterday, and is prevented from playing any local football matches.