Timor gets five-match AFC ban, FC Goa set to appeal

Panaji: David Timor’s campaign in the AFC Champions League Two, at least for this season, has come to an end after the FC Goa midfielder was handed a five-match ban for his offence against Al-Nassr FC at home last month.Timor was shown a direct red card towards the closing stages of Goa’s group-stage clash against Al-Nassr after he angrily kicked the ball away, narrowly missing the assistant referee. The Spanish midfielder reacted after the referee awarded a freekick to the Saudi Pro League giants, following a tussle for the ball between Aakash Sangwan and captain Sultan Al-Ghannam.Referring to Article 47 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code which relates to serious infringements punishable by an expulsion, AFC said “David Timor is suspended for five matches, which includes the one match automatic suspension arising from his expulsion in the match FC Goa vs Al Nassr Club.”Timor will now miss the next two group-stage clashes against Al Zawraa in Iraq on Nov 26 and the concluding game against FC Istikol at Fatorda on Dec 24. The remaining two suspensions, as per AFC guidelines, will be “carried over to the individual’s next official club match in a continental competition in the same category of football.”Goa have sought the grounds for the decision from AFC and will appeal the ban. “We will definitely appeal,” said a senior official.

Timor, 36, is Goa’s most experienced player. The central midfielder has rich experience in Spanish football, which includes more than 150 games in La Liga with clubs like Valencia, Osasuna, Leganes, Girona, Las Palmas, Getafe and Huesca.Goa are at the bottom of the group with no point after four matches. The club started its continental campaign on a promising note against Al Zawraa at home but lost 0-2, despite having chances to take something out of the game.That setback was followed with another defeat against Istiklol, away, and then two losses in a row against star-studded Al-Nassr.