Match Review Panel releases Round 18 verdicts

The Match Review Panel (MRP) have handed down their decisions on the three red cards that were issued on the weekend.

The independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Alan Davidson and Alan Contini – convened today to consider the following incidents from Round 18 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season:

1. An incident involving Harry Ascroft (Central Coast Mariners) which arose in or around the 72nd minute of Central Coast Mariners’ match against Brisbane Roar on Saturday, 6 February 2016. The MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Harry Ascroft was issued with a direct red card. The MRP confirmed that Harry Ascroft will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence of denying the opposing team an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

2. An incident involving Jacob Melling (Melbourne City FC) which arose in or around the 64th minute of Melbourne City FC’s match against Newcastle Jets on Sunday, 7 February 2016. The MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Jacob Melling was issued with a direct red card. The MRP confirmed that Jacob Melling will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence of denying the opposing team an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

3. An incident involving Alberto Aguilar (Western Sydney Wanderers) which arose in or around the 93rd minute of Western Sydney Wanderers’ match against Melbourne Victory on Saturday, 6 February 2016. The MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Alberto Aguilar was issued with a direct red card. The MRP determined that Alberto Aguilar committed the offence ofAssault on a Player (e.g. violent conduct when not challenging for the ball) against Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory). The MRP proposed a sanction of the Mandatory Match suspension plus one (1) additional Hyundai A-League match, being the minimum sanction for the offence.

The MRP also indicated an intention to reconvene tomorrow, 9 February 2016, to consider other incidents arising out of Round 18.