Mirko faces fine for pushing table

MIRKO Grabovac could face disciplinary action by the Football Association of Singapore for alleged 'unruly behaviour' last Friday.

The Tampines Rovers striker was one of six footballers taking the mandatory Beep Test at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall when the alleged incident happened.

The 35-year-old, who had failed his previous three attempts, was the only one to pass that day.

After the test, he allegedly continued running beyond the test area and pushed a table before walking off.

The table flipped over, with Singapore Sports Council and FAS officials watching.

The FAS has written to both Grabovac and Tampines club manager Wilson Chong for an explanation.

Said FAS director of competitions Quah Kim Song, who was present during the incident: 'Mirko's behaviour was uncalled for. He was also aggressive to the officials there.'

The striker, who is with the Tampines team in India for today's AFC Cup tie against Mohun Bagan, could not be reached for comment.

The team return tomorrow, and Quah said Grabovac will have about three days from then to respond.

If there is no response, or it is unsatisfactory, the player would be fined. However, Quah did not specify the amount.

Chong said he would wait for Grabovac, a Singapore citizen since 2002, to return before getting a statement from him.

In the Beep Test, players go on continuous 20-metre shuttle runs at a starting speed of 8 km/h.

Each minute the speed is increased by decreasing the interval between the beeps (this is called the next stage).

Each level has a fixed number of shuttle runs. The player's score is the level and number of runs reached before he is unable to keep up with the beeps.

The higher the level he attains, the fitter he is. This year's standard has been set at 12.10.

Those close to Grabovac said the Croatia-born player had questioned the need for such a test.

A player who had taken the test with him said: 'Mirko is quite lonely here. Soccer is his rice bowl, and he always works hard for it.

'But he's been quite upset that he must first pass the Beep Test before he can play. He feels it isn't practical.'

Grabovac's team manager, Syed Faruk, said yesterday the outburst was 'part and parcel of his emotions'.

'Mirko was upset, and missed his family,' he said.

Grabovac had said as much on Friday, adding: 'I've not slept well for the past five days worrying about this test.

'My family is waiting in Croatia to hear if I passed before flying over to join me.

'If I cannot play, there's nothing else I can do in Singapore.

'It has been a huge strain on me.'

limze@sph.com.sg