Picture Credit: Twitter
Serbia's Legia Warsaw defender Filip Mladenovic has been suspended for three months after he hit three opposing players following their Polish Cup final victory over Rakow Czestochowa.
The final finished in a goalless draw with the match going into penalties. Legia Warsaw won the exciting shootout 6-5 and the players rushed out to celebrate with the team. Mladenovic was provoked by three Rakov players and in response he punched them.
Mladenovic was also fined 120,000 Zlotys (USD28,925) and has been suspended from the league and cup, the Polish Football Association (PZPN) informed. Filip will miss the opening games of the 2022-23 season, which starts in Poland in late July. Raków coach Marek Papszun said of the incident, "I would be ashamed if I had a player like that in my team."
The Serbian later issued an apology on Instagram as he posted his photo along with the caption, “I apologize for my behavior to the players, above all to Marcin Cebula, Wiktor Dlugosz and Jean Carlos, and to the Rakow Czestochowa staff, including coach Marek Papszun. I am aware that this was unacceptable. This is not how any sportsman should behave. I also apologize to the players of my team, my staff, and the fans for representing the colors of Legia Warsaw in an unworthy manner.”
The final of Polish Cup was a heated affair as Legias Ribeiro received an early red card and there were complaints from the bench where both coaches were warned. There was a scuffle again at halftime as guards tried to prevent Legia from going down the tunnel while Raków remained. Legia Warsaw won their 20th Polish Cup and are second in the league, 11 points behind Rakow Czestochow.
