Football Australia have issued Auckland FC striker Sam Cosgrove with a two-game ban, one of which is suspended, and a $2000 fine for breaching the National Code of Conduct and Ethics.
The suspension relates to an interaction Cosgrove had with a journalist at a recent Auckland FC pre-match press conference.
According to Football Australia Cosgrove ‘failed to uphold the expected standards of integrity, dignity and professionalism required of a professional player’ and will now serve a one-game ban.
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The club has confirmed the English striker will not exercise his appeal rights and had accepted the sanction imposed by Football Australia.
Cosgrove will now be banned for the reigning A-League champions’ away trip to Brisbane Roar in Matchweek 3.
After serving his suspension Cosgrove will then be eligible for selection for Auckland’s Matchweek 4 clash against rivals Wellington Phoenix at Go Media Stadium on November 7.
Auckland FC confirmed that Cosgrove would not exercise his appeal rights and had accepted the sanction imposed by Football Australia.
The additional one-match suspension will be activated should Cosgrove commit a further breach of the Code involving the same or similar conduct during the remainder of the 2026/27 A-League Men season.
