Independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee Hearing – Adama Traore

On Thursday, 29 April 2021, the Football Australia independent Disciplinary & Ethics Committee comprising Lachlan Gyles SC (Chair), Anthony Lo Surdo SC and Robert Wheatley (the Committee) convened to consider an incident referred to it, which occurred in or around the 30th minute of Melbourne Victory’s Match Week 17 A-League match against Melbourne City FC on Saturday, 17 April 2021.The incident involved Melbourne Victory player, Adama Traore (Traore).

The independent Match Review Panel (MRP) referred the matter directly to the Committee for hearing and determination of whether, having regard to all the circumstances, the offence is sufficiently proven to warrant the imposition of an additional sanction in addition to the Mandatory Match Suspension, which must always be served.

The Committee determined that the Player must serve a suspension of five (5) A-League matches for committing the offence of “Unsporting conduct toward a Match Official” being the Mandatory Match Suspension plus four (4) additional A-League matches.

Having already served four (4) matches of his suspension, the Player will be ineligible for the next match in which Melbourne Victory participates.

The Player has the right to appeal the determination of the Committee to Football Australia’s independent Appeals Committee. If the Player intends to do so, he must advise Football Australia within seven (7) days of receiving the written determination.