Footballer cops 99-year ban for mixed allegiances

A footballer who was found to be playing for both Israel and Palestine domestic league sides has been banned for 99 years by the Israeli Football Association.

Palestinian international Attaf Abu Bilal played for Israeli fifth division side Segev Shalom but was found to be playing in the Palestinian league at the same time.

Having travelled around Israel and playing for several teams, Abu Bilal was handed the maximum length of suspension possible by the Israeli FA.

Not only that, he was also slapped with a 200 euro fine just for good measure.

The Israeli FA wanted to hand Abu Bilal a life ban but it seems the maximum 99-year ban had to suffice instead.

Slightly harsh perhaps?

It's not the only staggeringly long ban dished out this year, though.

A footballer in Austria was slapped with one of the longest suspensions in the history of the game: 70 matches.

When you hear the circumstances, however, the punishment meted out to Ismail Gunduz of fifth-division side SK Rum may not seem so draconian.

Gunduz had been given his marching orders for a second yellow card in the 86th minute of the match against SPLG Innsbruck, which SK Rum were actually leading 3-2 at the time.

Incensed, Gunduz turned to the referee and headbutted him - a blow so severe that the referee's lip burst open, pouring blood, forcing the match to be suspended as the official was taken to hospital.

As well as the suspension, a local paper called the Tiroler Tageszeitung reports that 26-year-old player was also sacked by SK Rum, while his club was fined 257 euros.