Kotov to miss the trip to Rioja

The EHF Court of Handball has released two decisions following disciplinary proceedings opened against the players Jakub Hrstka (Tatran Presov) and Alexander Kotov (Chekhovskie Medvedi) and their respective clubs for incidents occurred at the end of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16 Group Phase Round 6 match: Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) vs. Tatran Presov (SVK).

Right after the match, Alexander Kotov pushed a first opponent in the back while the latter was addressing a referee. The opponent’s teammate, Jakub Hrstka ran towards Kotov to verbally provoke him. In retaliation, Kotov pushed him with his two arms to the chest and Jakub Hrstka fell to the floor. An altercation began involving players of both teams, no violence occurred and officials as well as players from both sides quickly handled the situation.

The EHF Court of Handball has decided to impose a warning on Jakub Hrstka finding the player’s conduct improper but not menacing, drawing his attention to the fact that any kind of self‐justice and provocative attitude shall not be displayed at any time during a handball match since such a behaviour may participate to an escalation of aggressiveness.

A two-match suspension is imposed on Alexander Kotov, finding in substance the conduct displayed improper and menacing since he physically and intentionally retaliated to provocations in a reckless manner likely to endanger the physical integrity of an opponent.

One of these being imposed on a suspended basis with a probation period running until the end of the current season. The player is therefore not entitled to participate in the Group Phase match (Round 7): Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) vs. Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) taking place on 14 November 2015.

No sanction is imposed on any of the clubs. Appeals may be filed within seven days but shall not have any suspensive effect in the case regarding Alexander Kotov.