Vukovic facing lengthy ban

[PompeY2J]

Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic could face a lifetime ban after being sent off for striking the referee in yesterday's 1-0 loss to Newcastle in the A-League grand final in Sydney.

Vukovic struck referee Mark Shield in frustration after a penalty appeal was turned down and the incident will be reviewed by Football Federation Australia's match committee today.

Under the FFA's disciplinary code, the penalty for striking an official is between a year and a lifetime ban.

The Olyroos goalkeeper was sent off as Central Coast players angrily protested to Shield that Newcastle's James Holland had handled in the area.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/25/2171137.htm?section=sport

A video of the incident

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If the FFA go ahead with this, it's an utter disgrace upon themselves. The player showed no malice, and the referee's need to be more consistent. Earlier this year Joel Griffiths struck a linesman, and Steve Pantelidis shoved the referee. Neither was prosecuted. How they call this malice is unbelievable. It was a light glance on the hand, and was closer to a hi-5 than a strike. Consistency FFA!

[PompeY2J]

Central Coast confirmed they will appeal the "excessive" suspension which is threatening to shatter goalkeeper Danny Vukovic's Olympic dreams.

The Mariners on Tuesday reacted quickly to Football Federation Australia's decision to suspend Vukovic for 15 months, with six months suspended on a probationary basis, for striking referee Mark Shield in the A-League grand final.

The custodian was shown a red card in Sunday night's 1-0 loss to Newcastle after hitting Shield on the arm when a late penalty appeal was turned down.

The Mariners announced their intention to have an appeal heard "as quickly as possible" as Vukovic's hopes of becoming an Olympian remained in the balance.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=511295&cc=3436

[PompeY2J]

Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has been banned for 15 months for manhandling referee Mark Shield in Sunday's Australian A-League grand final loss to Newcastle.

The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) disciplinary committee found Vukovic guilty of violent conduct on Monday after he appeared to slap Shield's hand in the final minute of the match.

The suspension was reduced to nine months with the remaining six months to be served under probation, meaning Vukovic will be eligible to resume playing in the A-League in November.

'If Vukovic re-offends in the 12 month period after 24 November 2008, he will be required to serve the remaining six months of his 15 month suspension (in addition to any new sanction),' the FFA said in a statement.

The ban only relates to the A-League but the FFA are considering extending it to all matches, ruling Vukovic out of this year's Beijing Olympics, where he was expected to represent Australia.

The incident occurred as Central Coast players began remonstrating with Shield when he failed to award them a penalty for a blatant handball by Newcastle midfielder James Holland.

A penalty would have given Central Coast the chance of an equaliser that would have forced the championship decider into extra-time but Shield waved away their pleas.

Central Coast executive chairman Lyall Gorman told reporters before the verdict was announced that Vukovic had not intended to strike the referee but had apologised to him anyway.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=511108&cc=3436