Valletta will be without Enmy Pena Beltre for the next three matches after he was suspended by the Malta FA Disciplinary Commissioner on Tuesday.
The City wing-back was handed the hefty punishment after he was dismissed by referee Ishmael Barbara for retaliation during Saturday’s Premier League clash against Gżira United which saw the latter prevail 2-0.
Pena Beltre was shown a straight red card by referee Barbara after he was caught tangling with Gżira United striker Jefferson.
TV replays showed that the referee’s decision to dismiss the player was somewhat harsh as it appeared that there was some pushing between the two players.
In the after-match comments, Jefferson, himself admitted that the referee had been too fiscal in showing a straight red card to the Valletta player, saying that in his opinion the offence may be warranted only a yellow card.
However, the Disciplinary Commissioner punished heavily the Valletta player who will now be ruled out from his team’s next three matches against Gudja United, Sirens and Hibernians.
