Sydney FC's Sebastian Ryall. Credit:James Alcock "The Disciplinary Committee found that the case for simulation was not established," an FFA statement read. "In making this ruling the Disciplinary Committee had the benefit of additional broadcast footage which was not available to the independent Match Review Panel at the time at which the Match Review Panel referred the incident." Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata was delighted with the outcome and criticised the response of rivals Melbourne Victory. Kosta Barbarouses, a Victory player, said his teammates had lost respect for Ryall. "We are satisfied that the Committee has reached the correct decision having been presented with overwhelming proof that there was contact between Sebastian and the Melbourne Victory player," Pignata said.

The ruling cleared Ryall's name after he was subjected to insults from opponents, fans and even regarded as cheating by pundits after the match. However it did little to exonerate referee Strebre Delovski as the committee still ruled the decision should never have been to award Sydney FC a penalty. Video evidence showed Ryall fell to the ground inside the box as a result of a collision with Finkler that was caused by the Sydney defender. The left leg of Ryall was shown to have struck Finkler resulting in Ryall falling. Video evidence convinced the committee that Ryall was looking elsewhere and he claimed that at the time he thought he was fouled. During a tense cross examination, Ryall said; "After I collected the ball passed it to Bernie [Ibini] initially I went towards him then changed my run to get the ball back, I felt contact and went to ground. I thought it was a penalty, I pulled my arms out because I felt contact, I didn't see the contact, I was looking at Bernie but I assumed he clipped me." During the hearing, Ryall no longer believed it should have been awarded as a penalty having watched it numerous times on replay. "I wouldn't [award that as a penalty]," He said.