St Ann’s Rangers’ Devon Modeste has been ordered to do six months of community service as part of his penalties for violent conduct and unsporting behaviour in the 2008 Toyota Classic final.
The Committee also went further to include a four-match suspension at the beginning of the 2009 season and written apologies to the League, referee Russell Cassimire, Rangers’ owner Richard Fakoory and his team-mates. Most importantly, he has been placed on a five month probationary period, beginning in April, during which any new offences will be strongly sanctioned. Modeste was charged with violent conduct and unsporting behaviour in the 2008 Toyota Classic final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in which his team lost 2-1 against Jabloteh. Modest picked up back to back yellow cards in the 83rd and 84th minutes for dissent and unsporting behaviour respectively which led to his ejection.
His charges went further after he struck the ball into the referee and removed two corner flags on his way to the players’ tunnel. “It is something that I regret and will endeavour to ensure that it never happens again,” Modeste said over his actions. “I feel that it is a fair judgement,” continued the 24-year-old on realising the penalties he now faces. “I don’t think that it’s too much. I understand that the things that I have done in the final were wrong, so I understand that penalties had to follow.” He will also give back to his club, assisting St Ann’s Rangers youth development for a period of six months as part of his penalties.
Modeste believes that the 2008 season was a trying one for the Rangers on and off the pitch as they finished seventh in the domestic League. Their best at the knockout stage came in the Toyota Classic, finishing runners-up. Although he accepted his penalties, Modeste admitted that it would be tough to have to miss matches on suspension and wished that he was able to start the season for his club. With transfers always present around the pre-season, he assured that he will be available for Rangers in 2009.