Wellington Phoenix defender Manny Muscat has been given a three-game ban following his foul in Brisbane Roar’s Nick Fitzgerald in round 14.
Wellington Phoenix defender Manny Muscat has been given a three-game ban following his foul in Brisbane Roar-s Nick Fitzgerald in round 14.
Muscat incensed the Brisbane players when he appeared to use his elbow against Fitzgerald in the 74th minute but escaped censure by the match officials.
On Thursday, the independent Match Review Panel (MRP) charged Muscat with “Assault on a Player (e.g. violent conduct when not challenging for the ball)” over the incident late in the Phoenix’s 2-1 loss to the Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
The ban means Muscat misses Wellington-s upcoming matches against Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney and Sydney FC.
The Phoenix can appeal the decision but have already omitted Muscat from the squad to face Victory at AAMI Park in round 15.
