The Disciplinary Committee of the Confedration of African Football (Caf) have suspended Warri Wolves goalkeeper, Rhiogbere Tejiri for 12 months for “spitting at first assistant referee” during the Side’s 1-0 win at FC MK.
Wolves advanced into the Caf Confederation Cup Play-off round courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate victory over MK Etanchiete of DR Congo. The reported incident took place in Kinshasa, where the Seasiders recorded a 1-0 success.
The decision came on the heels of a meeting of the Disciplinary Board in Cairo on Monday.
Caf added in its statement: “Decision will be communicated to FIFA who may extend it on the international level.”
Meanwhile Wolves, Nigeria’s solitary representative in continental football, have denied their substitute goalkeeper acted in dissent during the match.
The club alleged the linesman notified the centre referee that Tejiri had insulted him, prompting the match official to issue a red card to the substitute. It disprove the notion Tejiri spat at an official, stressing their shirt No. 16 player had only entered the pitch after the final whistle to join his team-mates in jubilation, doing so cheekily in front of the assistant referee.
The said assistant referee “called the centre referee to report Tejiri.” The management of the Delta State side will meet to “deliberate” on the sanction.
Wolves need to overturn a 3-0 away deficit against AC Leopard, who visit Warri on 6 June to reach the group stage of the Confederation Cup.
