Coach fined, banned

Star Mountain’s Elizah suspended for 24 NSL matches after walk-off

STAR Mountain coach Selan Elizah has been banned for 24 National Soccer League (NSL) matches and fined K1,000 for “encouraging” his players to abandon their fixture in protest over a refereeing decision.
The Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) said in a statement that he was also barred from entering the stadiums which host NSL matches throughout his ban.
“On Sept 10, the club and Elizah were notified of the sanctions imposed by PNGFA’s disciplinary committee,” it said.
“The sanctions are for his direct involvement in encouraging the Star Mountain players to abandon their (round-15) match against home team Morobe United at Lae’s Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium on Sept 5.
“The committee stated that in the 73rd minute, referee Roger Adams had to call off the match as it was abandoned by Star Mountain players while United were leading 2-1.”
Elizah was disappointed over a disallowed goal after it was initially awarded to Star Mountain.
“We know that the decision by the referee is the final decision and you can’t change the decision,” he said.
PNGFA said the match report and video analysis carried out by the committee showed that Elizah’s actions had undermined the guidelines, rules and regulations pertaining to the administration and management of the sport’s national government body and NSL.
“This incident is the first of its kind since the establishment of the premier competition of PNGFA and this has created a sour situation in the history of football at this level, and has brought the game into disrepute,” it said.
“As a result, the committee found Elizah to be in breach of competition regulations.
“He has also breached the PNGFA disciplinary code and code of ethics.”
The penalties are effective immediately from the date of his suspension.
Elizah has 14 days from the date of the decision to appeal against his ban.