Melbourne Victory’s Nick Ansell has been handed a two-game suspension, in reaction to his red card against Perth Glory.
Ansell was sent off in the 48th minute of Victory’s 2-1 defeat at HBF Park, a decision which has since been reviewed by the Match Review Panel.
The following statement has been released by the league:
The independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Alan Davidson and Adam D’Apuzzo – convened on Monday, 10 May 2021 to consider an incident involving Nicholas Ansell (Ansell) of Melbourne Victory in or around the 48th minute of Melbourne Victory’s A-League Match Week 20 fixture against Perth Glory on Sunday, 9 May 2021.
In accordance with the A-League Disciplinary Regulations (the Regulations), the MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Ansell was issued with a direct Red Card by the Referee.
The MRP determined that Ansell 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, Ansell 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.
Ansell has until 5:00pm (AEST) on Tuesday, 11 May 2021 to advise whether he wishes to appeal the two (2) match sanction proposed by the MRP.
