SYDNEY FC has been left stunned by striker Joel Griffiths' three-match suspension for abusing a match official which was handed down yesterday, almost a week after a 3-1 loss to Melbourne Victory.
In a startling situation, Football Federation Australia's match review panel decided to cite Griffiths on Thursday night -- five days after the game -- before suspending him for "use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and-or gestures against a match official".
It is believed there was no mention of the incident, which took place in the 89th minute, in the official after-match reports and that it was only picked up after a review of the video of the game on Thursday morning. The MRP subsequently issued a mandatory one-week suspension and added a further two weeks.
It is understood Sydney FC was fuming while Sky Blues fans took to social media to slam FFA over the MRP's late intervention.
Sydney chief executive Tony Pignata was circumspect in a statement issued last night. "Joel has shown remorse for what happened and Sydney FC will consider its options in relation to appealing the severity of the suspension," he said.
Sydney FC board member and vice-chairman of the Australian Turf Club Michael Crismale used Twitter to express his opinion: "As a supporter, the timing of this is appalling. Has this happened before during this season, MRP issuing sentence on eve of game?"
It was a question many were asking last night.
The club has until midday Monday to lodge an appeal, but of greater issue will be the MRP's timing of the suspension, which came a little over 24 hours before today's game against Newcastle Jets at Hunter Sports Stadium.
The Griffiths drama comes on top of news that midfielder Jason Culina is understood to have been ruled out of tonight's game.
Sydney will also be without suspended Brazilian defenders Tiago and Fabio.
Attacker Yairo Yau will be away on international duty and Brett Emerton is sidelined with injury, leaving the club in a backs-to-the-wall situation against the Jets.
No comments:
Post a Comment