East Bengal likely to miss Plaza for two I-League matches

Kolkata, April 12 (IANS) East Bengal could be without the services of key player Willis Plaza in next two I-League matches as the Trinidad & Tobago man is likely to face a two-match suspension.

East Bengal lost to arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 1-2 over the weekend in a winner-takes-all derby clash to virtually end their title aspirations.

Mohun Bagan, courtesy the result, moved up to the second place with 29 points from 14 matches while East Bengal remained third having 27 in their kitty from 15 games. Aizawl are top of the tree with 30 points from 15 engagements.

In the hotly contested derby, Plaza was sent off in the 67th minute for hitting Mohun Bagan central defender Anas Edathodika on the face.

It was reliably learnt from sources in the know that referee A Rowan mentioned violent conduct in his report.

The matter will now be presented in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) disciplinary committee but according to a source he will be suspended for atleast two matches.

East Bengal host DSK Shivajians and Minerva Punjab FC on April 16 and 23 respectively.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan were also charged by the disciplinary committee on Tuesday for for failing to control the crowd at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri during the derby. It was Bagan's home game.

The disciplinary committee imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 for not preventing fans from entering the field after the match and Rs 25,000 for unruly crowd behaviour which saw them hurling bottles and missiles on the pitch during the match.

(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)