FC Pune City head coach Ranko Popovic. IANSPune: FC Pune City head coach Ranko Popovic's troubles with the administrators continued as the All India Football Federation (AIFF)'s disciplinary committee on Friday suspended the Serb with immediate effect pending further inquiry for committing his third offence in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL).
Disciplinary committee chairman Ushanath Banerjee, while reviewing the latest public comments made by Popovic against referee and match officials, issued the sanction order.
In a communication to the club, Banerjee stated: "Having considered the utterances against the decisions of the referee and the match officials, it prima facie appears that Ranko Popovic has breached the 'disciplinary code and the law of game' with impunity amounting to gross misconduct."
"On earlier occasion, Popovic was held guilty of abusing and insulting match officials and was imposed with sanctions. Even thereafter, he continued with his obdurate acts resulting warning. The instant subject matters are thus third instance of breach."
Earlier, Popovic was suspended for four matches and fined Rs 5 lakh for his remarks made against match officials at the post-match press conference in Goa after the match between FC Goa and Pune.
Going into the fourth season of the ISL, Pune had the dubious distinction of being one of two teams to have never qualified for the semifinals.
But it is Popovic who has made a big impact as he guide them to the semifinals of the ongoing edition, despite not being involved in the any of the recruitment before the season.
Pune hosted Bengaluru in the first leg semifinal on Wednesday, which ended in a goalless draw.
