Arnett Gardens player facing ban after brawl

Kimani Arbouine of Arnett Gardens FC is facing a lengthy ban from league play after his actions during his team’s 2-1 defeat to Molynes United in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) game at Drewsland Stadium on Sunday.

Arbouine, who was substituted in the latter stages of the contest, was caught on video jumping the surrounding fence and getting into a verbal altercation with Arnett supporters which turned physical. Punches were thrown and a brawl ensued. The referee showed him a straight red card after being told of the incident by his assistant.

Article 41, section five of the current Premier League Club Association (PLCA)’s rules and regulations disciplinary policy says that if a player is expelled by the referee for “serious acts of violence” against another player, team officials or any other person present at the match (brawl, serious incident), he is to be suspended for a least six matches and a minimum fine imposed of $2,200.

Possible penalties

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) senior vice-president Raymond Anderson said that the possible penalties to the player and by extension the club would be determined by the operations committee of the JFF based on the reports from the referee and match commissioner. He also added that the disciplinary committee could be called in if the incident is deemed serious enough for escalation.

“The procedure is that the operations committee assesses the [situation], applies the rules and regulations and if in their wisdom [decide] that it needs to be further looked at for a disciplinary matter, then they would refer it to the disciplinary committee,” he said speaking to STAR Sports.

“When they look at the report, the [operations committee] will decide if the club should be considered for any disciplinary action.”

PLCA general manager Pat Garel confirmed that the decision to punish Arbouine is out of the association’s hands and their job is to enforce the decision that is handed down by the committee whenever that is determined.

Arbouine will miss Arnett’s next game against Mount Pleasant at Drax Hall on Sunday. With their loss on Sunday, Arnett fell to ninth place with four points.