The Football Federation Australia (FFA) independent Disciplinary & Ethics Committee comprising John Marshall SC (Chair), Lachlan Gyles SC, and Robert Wheatley (the Committee) today delivered their determination in the matter of Roy O’Donovan (the Player) of Newcastle Jets.

The independent Match Review Panel, having reviewed the incident at a hearing on Monday, 7 May 2018, determined that on the basis of the evidence reviewed the Player had committed the offence of “Serious foul play (e.g. when challenging for the ball)” (Offence) and referred the matter to the Committee for hearing and determination of the sole question of what additional sanction should be imposed over and above the Mandatory Match Suspension provided always that the Mandatory Match Suspension is served.

The Committee determined that the Player must serve a suspension of ten (10) Hyundai A-League matches and/or FFA Cup matches (whichever comes first), which includes the Mandatory Match Suspension.

If the Player wishes to appeal the determination of the Committee, he must advise FFA of his intention to do so within 7 days of receiving the written determination.