Sha Tin captain Fabio Lopes handed three-match suspension at HKFA hearing for ‘confronting a referee’
- Lopes avoids heavier charge of assaulting match official, which can lead to minimum six-month suspension or life ban
- Punishment for altercation in League Cup semi-final is in line with Hong Kong Football Association’s disciplinary code
Sha Tin captain Fabio Lopes has been handed a three-match suspension for “confronting a match official” and using abusive language during a fiery Division One League Cup semi-final against long-standing rivals Wofoo Tai Po.
The Hong Kong Football Association handed down its ruling after Monday’s disciplinary hearing into a series of altercations that happened in the match at Kowloon Bay Sports Ground on July 3.
The 45-year-old Brazilian was shown a red card after a heated verbal exchange with a match official over what he claimed was a missed handball that robbed Sha Tin of a potential opportunity to equalise, as they trailed 1-0 to Tai Po.
Lopes was immediately sent off, but continued his tirade after the full-time whistle, when he returned to the field to berate the officials. Rowdy Sha Tin fans joined the fray, with one angry spectator throwing a bottle at them.
The three-match suspension is in line with the HKFA’s disciplinary code for harassing or insulting a referee with abusive language.
Lopes avoided the heavier charge of assaulting a match official – a guilty verdict that can result in a minimum suspension of six months, or even a life ban.
The first match of his suspension was served on July 10, leaving him with just two additional games to sit out.
North District centre back Leung Kwok-wai was handed a one-match suspension for denying Sham Shui Po an obvious goalscoring opportunity with a blatant handball.
Wofoo Tai Po went on to lift the Division One League Cup trophy after beating Sham Shui Po 2-1.
