Bangalore: The opening day's fixtures in the BDFA ‘A' division (RBI v LRDE) and Super division (BEML v CIL) was not held as the referees played truant at the football stadium on Monday.

After a meeting of the disciplinary and managing committee, the BDFA took stringent action against three players, a player-coach and the secretary of Jupiter FC, a B division team that was involved in a fracas during the league.

The match in question was played on Feburary 28, against Bangalore Kickers.

The three players — Rajesh, V.K. Harish, and M. Vinod — and coach cum player Manimaran were accused of using “filthy, vulgar language” towards the referee and also manhandling him.

All four were banned from playing for any club or even entering the playing area for a period of three years (with effect from February 29).