The independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Con Diomis and Adam D’Apuzzo – convened on Monday, 5 March 2018 to consider the below incidents arising in matches in Round 22 and Round 23 of the Hyundai A-League.

Roy O’Donovan

The MRP considered an incident involving Roy O’Donovan (O’Donovan) of Newcastle Jets which occurred in or around the 14th minute of Newcastle Jets’ Round 22 Match against Sydney FC on Saturday, 3 March 2018.

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

The MRP determined that O’Donovan committed the offence of “assault on a player (e.g. violent conduct when not challenging for the ball) including an attempted assault on a player”. The MRP proposed a sanction of two (2) matches, being the minimum sanction for the offence.

Under the Hyundai A-League Disciplinary Regulations (the Regulations), O’Donovan may refer the matter to the independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee for hearing and determination of the sole question of 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.

O’Donovan has until 12:00pm (AEDT) Tuesday, 6 March 2018 to advise whether he wishes to appeal the two (2) match sanction proposed by the MRP.

Liam Reddy

The MRP considered an incident involving Liam Reddy (Reddy) of Perth Glory in or around the 87th minute of Perth Glory’s Round 23 match against Western Sydney Wanderers FC on Sunday, 4 March 2018.

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

The MRP determined that Reddy had committed the offence of “denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, as prescribed in Law 12 of the Laws of the Game”. The MRP confirmed that Reddy will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence.