SAFF Championship 2023: Igor Stimac likely to face two-match suspension: Report

A two-match suspension also means coach Igor Stimac will have to watch the remaining of India matches of the SAFF Championship from the stand as India qualified for the semifinals against Lebanon on July 1. The final is scheduled on July 4.

Referee Alomgir showed Stimac a red card during the 80th minute of the match against Kuwait last Monday at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. It was unclear at that point on why the coach was red-carded by the match referee while it was understood that the marching orders were given following the referee’s conversation with the assistant referee.

The report further read that the referee and match commissioner Dorji Mindu have already submitted their reports on the same to the SAFF Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. A decision on the same will be announced by Friday, confirmed SAFF general secretary Anwarul Haq.

This was the second time in this tournament that Igor Stimac saw a red card as he was sent off during the India vs Pakistan match too for intervening in the play. The coach later justified his action saying he did so to defend his team as he felt the referee didn’t give a foul against his player.

However, the HT further reported that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is worried about Stimac’s behaviour, and secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran will speak to the 55-year-old Croat soon on the matter as the federation is concerned that India will be at a disadvantage if rivals know the coach could be provoked easily.

Earlier India’s assistant coach Mahesh Gawli criticised SAFF and match officials for the standard of refereeing while also alleging that Igor Stimac was targetted on purpose as the coach didn’t say anything to the assistant referee. Gawli will now be leading the side from the touchline during the semifinal.