The independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Adam D’Apuzzo and Alan Contini – convened on Monday, 18 December 2017 to consider the below incidents arising in matches in Round 11 of the Hyundai A-League.

Sydney FC v Melbourne City FC

The MRP considered an incident involving Emmanuel Muscat (Melbourne City FC) in or around the 70th minute of Melbourne City FC’s Round 11 match against Sydney FC on Friday, 15 December 2017. The MRP has authority to consider the incident as Muscat was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee.

The MRP determined that Muscat committed the offence of serious foul play and proposed a sanction of two (2) matches, being the Mandatory Match Suspension plus one (1) additional match. The minimum sanction for the offence is one (1) match, being the Mandatory Match Suspension.

Under the Hyundai A-League Disciplinary Regulations (the Regulations), Muscat 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.

Muscat has until 12:00pm (AEDT) Tuesday, 19 December 2017 to advise whether he wishes to appeal the two (2) match sanction proposed by the MRP.

Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United

The MRP considered an incident involving Filip Tapalovic (Adelaide United – Team Official) in or around the 90th minute of Adelaide United’s Round 11 match against Newcastle Jets on Saturday, 16 December 2017. The MRP has authority to consider the incident as Tapalovic was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee.

The MRP determined that Tapalovic committed the offence of use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official and proposed a sanction of two (2) matches, being the Mandatory Match Suspension plus one (1) additional match. The minimum sanction for the offence is one (1) match, being the Mandatory Match Suspension.

Under the Regulations, Tapalovic 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.

Tapalovic has until 12:00pm (AEDT) Tuesday, 19 December 2017 to advise whether he wishes to appeal the two (2) match sanction proposed by the MRP.

Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers FC

The MRP considered three incidents from the match between Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers FC played on Saturday, 16 December 2017.

1. The first incident involved Wout Brama (Central Coast Mariners) which arose in or around the 62nd minute of the match. The MRP has authority to consider the incident as Brama was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee.

The MRP determined that Brama committed the offence of serious foul play and confirmed that Brama will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence.

2. The second incident involved Jake McGing (Central Coast Mariners) which arose in or around the 78th minute of the match. The MRP has authority to consider the incident as McGing was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee.

The MRP determined that McGing committed the offence of serious foul play and confirmed that McGing will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence.

3. The third incident involved Balder Berckmans (Central Coast Mariners – Team Official) which arose in or around the 85th minute of the match. The MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Berckmans was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee.