Robert Pires banned for two matches after altercation in which he was allegedly 'punched in the face' by opposition coach

The former Arsenal player features in the inaugural Indian Super League

Goa Football Club coach Zico (R) and player Robert Pires (GETTY IMAGES)

FC Goa midfielder Robert Pires has been suspended for two games in the inaugural Indian Super League after allegedly being involved in a half-time altercation with Atletico de Kolkata coach Antonio Lopez Habas.

After Thursday's game, which featured seven yellow cards, Goa coach Zico claimed the former Arsenal man had been punched by Habas, with both clubs submitting written reports to the ISL governing body on Friday.

"The other thing that happened which is more serious is that one of our players said that he was beaten by the coach of the other team," Zico told reporters after the match.

"Pires said he was punched on the face by the Atletico coach and it is very shameful.

"The other thing that happened which is more serious is that one of our players said that he was beaten by the coach of the other team," Zico told reporters after the match.

"I am telling you what my players told me and I didn't see that myself but I don't think that Pires will lie and say something that didn't happen."

A disciplinary committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday stated Pires had been suspended for two matches, with Habas banned for four.

Both Pires and Habas were fined rupees 500,000 (£5,071) each, and each have four days to submit an appeal.

Habas had previously been warned for his behaviour following Atletico's 2-0 win over North East United on October 16.

A statement released to Press Association Sport read: "Robert Pires of FC Goa has been suspended for next two matches of Indian Super League and fined Rs 5,00,000 (Rupees Five Lakh) for breach of All India Football Federation disciplinary code (article 58) of offensive behaviour and fair play.

"Antonio Lopez Habas, head coach of Atletico de Kolkata has been suspended for next four matches of Indian Super League and fined Rs 500,000 (Rupees Five Lakh) for breach of All India Football Federation disciplinary code (article 58) of offensive behaviour and fair play for the second time. Antonio Lopez Habas was previously summoned with a warning by the AIFF's disciplinary committee under its article 58, earlier on October 18, 2014."

Pires, who was part of Arsenal's 'Invincibles' squad which went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 Premier League season en route to winning the title, was heavily involved in Goa's 2-1 home defeat, which put them in sixth place.

Atletico striker Fikru Lemessa, an Ethiopia internation

PA