The independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Alan Davidson and Alan Contini – convened on Monday, 27 November 2017 to consider the below incidents arising in matches in Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League.

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory

The MRP considered an incident involving Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory) in or around the 29th minute of Melbourne Victory’s Round 8 match against Newcastle Jets on Thursday, 23 November 2017.

The MRP has authority to consider the incident as Milligan was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee. The MRP determined that Milligan committed the offence of serious unsporting conduct and confirmed that Milligan will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence.

Melbourne City FC v Perth Glory

The MRP considered an incident involving Osama Malik (Melbourne City FC) in or around the 41st minute of Melbourne City FC’s Round 8 match against Perth Glory on Friday, 24 November 2017.

The MRP has authority to consider the incident as Malik was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee. The MRP determined that Malik committed the offence of serious foul play and confirmed that Malik will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence.

Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar FC

The MRP considered two incidents from the match between Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar FC played on Saturday, 25 November 2017.

The first incident involved Avram Papadopoulos of Brisbane Roar FC which arose in or around the 76th minute of the match. The MRP has authority to consider the incident as Papadopoulos was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee.

The MRP regarded the incident as constituting the offence of spitting at a player and has referred the incident to the independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee for hearing regarding what sanction should apply over and above the mandatory match suspension (which Papadopoulos must serve against Western Sydney Wanderers FC on Saturday, 2 December 2017).

The independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee hearing date will be confirmed shortly.

The second incident involved Matthew Simon of Sydney FC which arose in or around the 76th minute of the match. The MRP has authority to consider the incident as Simon was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee.

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

Adelaide United v Western Sydney Wanderers FC

The MRP considered an incident involving Ben Garuccio (Adelaide United) in or around the 77th minute of Adelaide United’s match against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday, 26 November 2017.

The MRP has authority to consider the incident as Garuccio was issued with a direct Red Card by the referee. The MRP determined that Garuccio committed the offence of serious foul play and confirmed that Garuccio will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence.