Gold Coast United midfielder Steve Pantelidis will be free to play against Newcastle on Saturday after he won an appeal against a charge of violent conduct arising from the Round Two clash against North Queensland.
Pantelidis was alleged to have swung an elbow at the Fury’s Robbie Middleby in an incident not picked up referee Chris Beath in the course of the game.
As is stipulated in FFA rules any incident missed by the referee may be acted on by the Match Review Panel, who originally sanctioned Pantelidis with a two-week ban arguing that the force used by the midfielder was excessive.
United officials decided to fight the suspension, but the hearing was delayed following confusion over technicalities in the appeal.
On Thursday night, Pantelidis argued that he was merely trying to break free of Middleby’s hold.
“There was no intent to strike Mr Middleby whatsoever,” he said.
The FFA disciplinary committee, chaired by John Marshall SC, found in Pantelidis’ favour and ruled he had no case to answer.
