Lalitpur, September 19:

Kumari Youth Club skipper Bikash Gurung was handed a three-year ban for manhandling referee Sachin Amatya during Thursday’s Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League match against Kathmandu Club.

The Kumari Club players and officials turned violent after Amatya expelled Gurung in the 34th minute of the match. Furious over the decision, Gurung along with other players and officials charged the referee.

The Disciplinary Committee of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) took the action following a report from Match Commissioner Birat Jung Shahi. The committee decided to ban Gurung from participating in all the tournaments organised by ANFA for three years. Players Deepak Thapa and Chandra Lama were banned for one year, while coach Diken Suwal received one-match ban.

The committee also banned official Dinesh Maharjan for the rest of the tournament and also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 to the club.

The committee also took action against Koilapani Polstar Club for insulting an assistant referee during their match against Swoyambhu Youth Club on Thursday. Apart from the fine of Rs 5,000, the committee imposed two-match ban on Jhabi Lal Adhikari and one-match ban to Khem Pun and Amit Gurung and coach Jeet Bahadur Pun.

On the field, Swoyambhu beat Himalayan Sherpa 2-1 on goals from Nabin Gurung and Rajan Adhikari. Also, Pukar Ale struck a hat-trick as Bansbari hammered Sano Gaucharan 6-0. Milan Adhikari, Bharat Lama and Rajendra Suwal also scored.