SAFF Championship 2023: India head coach Igor Stimac banned for 2 games

Indian coach Igor Stimac received his first red card during the game against Pakistan. He was banned for the game against Nepal but when he returned against Kuwait, he was shown another red card. There were some reports that he is going to miss two straight games. SAFF disciplinary Committee confirmed that the reports are true and Igor Stimac will be not on the sidelines during the Semi-Final and the Final of the SAFF Championship 2023.

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Stimac was also fined $500 as the SAFF Disciplinary Committee assured it a fit case for suspending him for more than one match. "He (Stimac) has been handed a two-match ban and also fined $500 (Rs 41,000)," said the SAFF General Secretary General Anwarul Haq.

When he received the red card against Pakistan in India's campaign opener on June 21, it was not referred to the SAFF Disciplinary Committee as the offence was not taken seriously. But when he got the red card in the Kuwait game on June 27, the matter reached to the SAFF Disciplinary Committee. They took it seriously and decided to ban Igor Stimac for 2 games.

The one-match ban was automatic but now he will not be in the dugout if the home team reaches the final. Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli will have to take his place.