The independent Match Review Panel (MRP) - consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Alan Contini and Adam D’Apuzzo – convened on Sunday, 6 January 2019 to consider an incident involving Armando Sosa Pena (Mandi) of Wellington Phoenix in or around the 68th minute of Wellington Phoenix’s Hyundai A-League Round 11 Match against Adelaide United on Saturday, 5 January 2019.

The MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Mandi was issued with a direct Red Card by the Referee.

The MRP determined that Mandi had committed the offence of an “Assault on a Player (e.g. violent conduct when not challenging for the ball) or against any other person other than a Match Official, including an attempted Assault”.

The minimum sanction for the offence is two (2) matches, being one (1) additional match plus the Mandatory Match Suspension. The MRP proposed a sanction of three (3) matches, being the minimum sanction for the offence plus one (1) additional match.

Under the Hyundai A-League Disciplinary Regulations (the Regulations), Mandi may refer the matter to the independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee for hearing and determination of the sole question of either:

a. what additional sanction should be imposed above the minimum sanction (inclusive of the Mandatory Match Suspension which must be served), applying the Range at the Table of Offences; or

b. whether Exceptional Circumstances apply and therefore a sanction outside the Range at the Table of Offences should be imposed, provided always that the Mandatory Match Suspension must be served.