The independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Alan Davidson and Adam D’Apuzzo – convened on Monday, 21 October 2019 to consider an incident involving Liberato Cacace (Cacace) of Wellington Phoenix in or around the 81st minute of Wellington Phoenix’s Hyundai A-League Round 2 Match against Sydney FC on Sunday, 20 October 2019.
In accordance with the Hyundai A-League Disciplinary Regulations (the Regulations), the MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Cacace was issued with a direct Red Card by the Referee.
The MRP determined that Cacace committed the offence of “Serious foul play (e.g. when challenging for the ball).”
The minimum sanction for the offence is one (1) match, being the Mandatory Match Suspension. The MRP proposed a sanction of two (2) matches, being the minimum sanction for the offence plus one (1) additional match.
Under the Regulations, Cacace may refer the matter to the independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee for hearing and determination of the sole question of either:
- what additional sanction should be imposed above the minimum sanction (inclusive of the Mandatory Match Suspension which must always be served), applying the Range at the Table of Offences; or
- whether Exceptional Circumstances apply and therefore a sanction outside the Range at the Table of Offences should be imposed, provided always that the Mandatory Match Suspension must be served.
Cacace has until 2:00pm (AEDT) on Tuesday, 21 October 2019 to advise whether he wishes to appeal the two (2) match sanction proposed by the MRP.
