Earvin Ngapeth has been suspended for 7 days by the FIPAV Federal Court (Tribunalle Federale FIPAV) headed by President Massimo Rosi, following a complaint filed by Dragan Travica.
Modena Volley published a statement regarding the decision of the FIPAV Federal Court and the suspension of Earvin Ngapeth. On their official website, the club announced that Earvin Ngapeth will not be on the team roster for the match against Vero Volley Monza on Sunday, March 5th. The exclusion is a result of disciplinary action taken by the FIPAV Federal Court, following a complaint filed by Dragan Travica in 2022. The suspension will last for seven days, starting from 27 February 2023. However, Ngapeth will be available to play in the semifinal match of the CEV Cup on 8 March.
Ngapeth (player of Modena Volley) was sued by the former Perugia setter Dragan Travica (now in Olympiacos S.F.P, Greece) for defamation, as was Leal himself, who now plays for Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza. The two players had accused Travica of having directed racist insults at Leal, which would’ve led the Cuban-Brazilian player to react with a kick. It was a gesture that cost Leal a four-match ban, later reduced to two, and which in fact conditioned the entire series for Modena, who got eliminated later. Of the alleged racist phrases uttered by the former Italy Men member, however, there was no evidence or trace as he was cleared.
