TERRY FENWICK, coach of the CL Financial San Juan club was handed a ten-match ban and a fine of $24,000 for his involvement in a brawl during the inaugural Toyota Classic Final against VIBE CT 105 W Connection at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
Jabloteh duo Ian Gray and Dexter Franklyn and Travis Mulraine of W Connection all had their seasons ended with six match bans while Gefferson Goulart of W Connection was handed a two-match ban.
On Friday last, the ugly side of the game stood out at the end of final between the two premier local clubs. W Connection eventually won 1-0.
With 24 minutes left on the clock and the scores locked at 0-0, W Connection won a free-kick just outside the Jabloteh 18-yard box.
Brazilian Gefferson Goulart stepped up and took a superb right-footed shot that sailed over the head of Jabloteh custodian Daurance Williams, hit the under-side of the cross-bar and into the goal.
Things turned very nasty from there on, however, as Goulart in celebrating his goal raced towards the Jabloteh bench where coach Fenwick was standing in his permitted area.
It proved to be too close for Fenwick’s liking, as he allegedly raised his right arm which connected with the face of Goulart.
The W Connection midfielder then went tumbling to the ground to the disbelief of the half-filled covered stands.
What followed was just an embarrassing scenario for both clubs and the league as players raced off the two benches and became embroiled in a fracas.
The melee lasted about ten minutes and when all was done and referee Richard Piper was ready to resume the game he did so with nine players on each team and one less on the W Connection bench after handing out five red-cards to players.
At a disciplinary meeting which was held at the league’s head office in Valsayn, the Disciplinary Committee members Sharon O’Brien, Roy Jagroopsingh, Paul Regis and Wayne Caesar handed down their decision. Boris Punch was absent.
During the disciplinary meeting the committee took into consideration the official match report from the referee Piper, match commissioner Norris Ferguson, video footage of the match from three local media houses and the Fifa Disciplinary Code.
In addition, the parties concerned and their representatives were interviewed, after which the following decisions were taken:
Travis Mulraine (W Connection): Found guilty on involvement in a brawl in accordance with Fifa Disciplinary Code Article 49. As a result, Mulraine was banned for a period of six consecutive matches.
Ian Gray (San Juan Jabloteh): Guilty of involvement in a brawl in accordance with Fifa Disciplinary Code Article 49. Gray was banned for a period of six consecutive matches.
Dexter Franklyn (San Juan Jabloteh): Guilty of involvement in a brawl in accordance with Fifa Disciplinary Code Article 49. Franklyn was banned for a period of six consecutive matches.
Gefferson Goulart (W Connection): Guilty of offensive behaviour in accordance with Fifa Disciplinary Code Article 54. Goulart was banned for a period of two consecutive matches.
Terry Fenwick (San Juan Jabloteh): Found guilty in accordance with Fifa Disciplinary Code Article 48. As a result Fenwick has been banned for a period of ten consecutive matches and fined $24,000.
Further, the Disciplinary Committee has summoned Charles and Ronaldo Viana both of W Connection to attend a hearing at 10.30 am on November 14, at the league’s office.
When the Guardian contacted Raymond Mc Lean, assistant manager of the W Connection, he said his club was not ready to comment on the decisions.
However, Wilfred Espinet of Jabloteh said all parties involved have to respect the decisions.
Espinet said it was felt that additional people would have been penalised for their involvement but, as yet, that has not happened.
“It’s seems as though the committee kept their penalties limited to the people who were penalised by the referee.
“But with the help of video footage they would have seen that more people were involved.
“I figured that the video footage would have helped them identify other people whose behaviour was not in keeping with the spirit of the game.
With Fenwick now unable to coach his team for the remainder of the season in match situations, Espinet when asked if the club will be seeking a head coach replied: “I don’t think we have digested the outcome as yet, I spoke with club chairman Jerry Hospedales earlier on and we have not even discussed that yet.”