MELBOURNE City defender Connor Chapman is free to play the final three games of the season after he escaped with a three-game ban for unsporting behaviour.

Chapman received the minimum sanction from the FFA’s independent disciplinary committee after making contact with referee Strebre Delovski in last week’s 3-2 loss at Western Sydney.

The panel determined that the incident was a category 2 (minimum) offence of “unsporting conduct toward a match official”, and City last night confirmed that it had accepted the ban.

The three games are in addition to the one game ban Chapman has already served, meaning he will be free to return for City’s April 12 clash at home to Wellington.

Chapman, who was stiff to miss out on the Olyroos squad this week, will miss upcoming games against Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney.

“Melbourne City accepts the sanction and thanks Football Federation Australia for conducting a thorough and professional disciplinary process,” City said in a statement.

“Chapman has apologised to the official involved and has offered to donate a week’s wages to a nominated charity of his choice.”

City is clinging onto sixth spot, with Brisbane Roar two points, but with two games in hand.

But City goalkeeper Tando Velaphi says Sydney FC’s star-studded attack should not be feared when the two sides meet at Allianz Stadium tomorrow night.

Sydney has been scoring for fun since the Asian Cup break, having found the back of the net a stunning 25 times in seven games.

media_camera Melbourne City defender Connor Chapman remonstrates with Strebre Delovski.

International marquee striker Marc Janko has been at the forefront of the onslaught, scoring in all seven games and 12 overall.

There’s also Shane Smeltz, Alex Brosque, Berni Ibini and Chris Naumoff to worry about in an attack that is as potent as any other in the A-League.

City has been solid defensively of late, conceding just 14 goals in its past 13 games.

And it is with this in mind that Velaphi said yesterday that City has to believe it can quell the rampant Sky Blues.

“They’ve been impressive,” Velaphi said.

“Obviously Janko is a quality player and they’ve got some other attacking options there as well.

“But we’ll do our homework, we’ve been pretty solid this year, so we’ll look to keep that going and so hopefully get a good result against them.

“We defend as a unit and attack as a unit. Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities, both defensively and attacking-wise, and if we can stick to that game plan and make sure that we nullify their strengths ... then I think we’ll do well in the game.”

City got back on the winners list with a 4-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday night that followed a disappointing road trip that resulted in losses to Central Coast and Western Sydney.

Newcastle’s performance has since been savaged, but Velaphi said it was also important to note the positivity in City’s play.

“Every game is a challenge in this league,” he said.

“I think there was some good parts in our game and some parts we can improve on. We’ll take those positives and use them to our advantage to give us the confidence going in to this game.”