East Bengal coach banned for two years

Kolkata:

The Indian Football Association (IFA) has banned East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick for two years, saying it would not recognise the former international player as "part of any team, club or association" during the period. Announcing the decision after a meeting of its disciplinary committee yesterday, IFA Secretary Subrata Dutta told newspersons that Bhowmick had repeatedly insulted the parent body through his derogatory remarks. "So, the disciplinary committee unanimously decided to debar him from entering the technical area and inside fencing and sitting at the substitutes' bench of any club or association during any match conducted by the IFA or held under its aegis," Dutta said. The punishment would come into force from May 16, 2004, and continue upto May 15, 2006. "During this period, the IFA will not recognise him as part of any team, organisation or club affiliated to it," he said. Bhowmick could, however, appeal to the IFA governing body within 48 hours of receiving the letter. "In that case, the governing body may decrease the quantum of punishment". (PTI)