The Football Federation Australia (FFA) independent Disciplinary & Ethics Committee comprising Anthony Lo Surdo SC (Chair), Deborah Healey and David Barrett (the Committee) convened to consider an incident referred to it, which arose in or around the 24th minute of the Hyundai A-League Round 12 Match between Sydney FC and Melbourne City FC on Sunday, 29 December 2019.
The incident involved Rhyan Grant (the Player) of Sydney FC and it resulted in him receiving a direct red card.
In accordance with the Hyundai A-League Disciplinary Regulations, the matter was referred to the Committee by the Player following the sanction proposed by the independent Match Review Panel (MRP) at a hearing on Monday, 30 December 2019.
The MRP had jurisdiction to consider the incident as the Player was issued with a direct red card in the match.
The Committee determined that the Player must serve a suspension of two (2) Hyundai A-League matches for committing the offence of “Serious foul play (e.g. when challenging for the ball)” being the Mandatory Match Suspension plus one (1) additional Hyundai A-League match.
.@SydneyFC defender @RhyanGrant’s sanction for red card against @MelbourneCity reduced to two games by @FFA’s independent disciplinary and ethics committee. More to follow…#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions pic.twitter.com/6vfyKkmE4t
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) January 3, 2020
The Player must serve his Mandatory Match Suspension in Sydney FC’s Round 13 match against Adelaide United on Saturday, 4 January 2020, and will also be ineligible for Sydney FC’s Round 14 fixture.
With Sydney FC having a bye in Round 15, the Player will be eligible to return for Sydney FC’s Round 16 match against Melbourne Victory schedule for Friday, 24 January 2020.
The Player has the right to appeal the determination of the Committee to FFA’s independent Appeals Committee. If the Player intends to do so, he must advise FFA within seven (7) days of receiving the written determination.
NEWS: Grant handed three-game ban by MRP
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