SC East Bengal's Robbie Fowler handed 4-match ban, hefty fine for verbal abuse

The incident related to the sanction happened after the Red and Gold's game against FC Goa on January 29.

SC East Bengal head coach Robbie Fowler has been handed a four-match suspension in the Indian Super League (ISL) by the AIFF, Khel Now can confirm. The Disciplinary Committee of the national football federation held a meeting today to review the allegation made against the Red and Gold Brigade's tactician. The Englishman allegedly got into a verbal spat with the match officials and league organizers post the FC Goa match.

Sources close to the developments confirmed that Fowler was found guilty of the offence reported and that he has been charged a fine of ₹5 lakhs along with the ban.

"Mr Robbie Fowler has been handed a four-match ban along with a hefty fine. His conduct will be scrutinized for the rest of the season failing which he may face a harder course," Ushanath Banerjee, Chairman of the AIFF Disciplinary Committee told Khel Now over phone.

With their campaign not progressing as well as Fowler would have liked, he has frequently got into fights with the match officials on the sidelines. The 45-year-old was also sent off once earlier this season due to the same issue.

On Friday, January 29, SC East Bengal locked horns with FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. The match ended 1-1 with Igor Angulo scoring the Gaurs' only goal in the first half and Danny Fox equalizing for the Red and Gold Brigade after the break. As soon as the final whistle was blown, the former Liverpool striker got into a fight with the match officials, which has now resulted in this four-match suspension.

With just 13 points from 15 matches, the Kolkata giants are currently in tenth place on the ISL standings and they seem to have missed out on a playoffs spot. Fowler's ban will now make things harder for the team, with five more matches remaining for them in the league stage.