The Football Federation Australia (FFA) Independent Disciplinary & Ethics Committee comprising John Marshall SC (Chair), Lachlan Gyles SC, and Robert Wheatley (the Committee) tonight convened to consider an incident referred to it, which arose in or around the 93rd minute of the Hyundai A-League 2018 Grand Final match between the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory on Saturday, 5 May 2018.
The incident involved Roy O’Donovan (the Player) of Newcastle Jets.
The matter was referred to the Committee by the independent Match Review Panel (MRP). The MRP had jurisdiction to consider the incident as the Player was issued with a direct red card in the match.
The MRP, 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).
The MRP issued a Disciplinary Notice to the Player 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 has reserved their determination.
