Lurking in the bottom regions of the Premier League, Msida St Joseph were yesterday docked two points and fined an aggregate sum of Lm400, following incidents which took place earlier this month at Ta' Qali at the end of their match against Pietà Hotspurs which ended 1-1.

The decision of the MFA's Board of Control and Discipline was communicated last night in a statement signed by Louis Micallef, the association's deputy general secretary.

The incidents were sparked by a former Msida committee member who took exception to a late penalty award in that match. The club official entered the field of play when the game was over and attacked assistant referee Nicholas Debattista, causing him a slight injury.

This incident carried the heaviest penalty, the forfeiture of two points and a Lm200 fine.

Msida were also charged with crowding the referee and protesting to the official (Lm50 fine) and hurling of insults, use of abusive language and climbing of fences by their supporters while the officials were on their way to the dressing room (Lm10 fine).

The club was severely reprimanded as their fans damaged ten seats at the West Side C at Ta' Qali. They have to make good for this damage amounting to Lm100.

Another seat thrown into the ground and two more in the VIP area was also penalised by a further Lm40 fine.

The penalty of two points makes it virtually impossible for Msida to make it to the Championship Pool. Msida, who have two games left to play before the end of the first phase, have 17 points which are now reduced to 15 following yesterday's sanction. The teams immediately above them are Pietà with 19 points and Marsaxlokk with 20.