Tempers rose among the Rhodes players (01250611)

The Rhodes football team have been banned from the next two Island Games as a result of their abusive behaviour in a match against Jersey last night.

Island Games officials acted swiftly to penalise the team after their behaviour on and off the pitch.

During the match, two of the Greeks, including Tilemachos Pattas (pictured), were sent off and their team earned eight bookings as they went down 2-0 in the Isle of Wight, with Jersey progressing to the semi-finals.

Rhodes were understood to be withdrawing their team whatever the outcome of today’s meeting.

It is not the first time the Rhodes team have been involved in controversy. In 2003, they withdrew from the tournament in Guernsey after their match against that island had to be abandoned. Six players, five from Rhodes, were sent off. Guernsey then decided not to send a team to the Island Games in Rhodes.

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