Football Australia today confirmed that Western Sydney Wanderers (Wanderers) FC Head Coach Marko Rudan (Rudan) has been sanctioned for breaches of the National Code of Conduct and Ethics (Code) following a show cause notice process pursuant to the Code.
It has been determined that Rudan engaged in conduct that breached several provisions of the Code. Specifically, he was found to have:
- engaged in offensive behaviour, including the use of offensive, obscene, abusive, provocative, indecent, or insulting gestures, language, or chanting (Clause 2.2(a) of the Code).
- engaged in intimidating another person, creating a hostile or unsafe environment within the sport (Clause 2.2(d) of the Code).
- engaged in conduct that brings, or may bring, Football Australia, its sponsors, a Football Administrator, or football generally into disrepute or which is otherwise prejudicial to the interests of Football Australia or football generally (Clause 2.2(g) of the Code).
- made comments, statements, or representations to the public, including via any contribution to any form of media, that are disparaging or derogatory of an official, including a match official, opposition team, or any player (Clause 2.6(a) of the Code).
- failed to behave at all times in a manner that promotes and upholds high standards of integrity, dignity, and professionalism (Clause 5(a)(i) of the Code).
As a result of these breaches, Football Australia has determined that Rudan will be suspended for three (3) A-League Men matches, where one (1) match is suspended for the remainder of the 2023/24 A-League Men Season and the 2024/25 A-League Men Season.
Rudan will subsequently be ineligible to participate in the Wanderers following Isuzu UTE A-League Men matches against Central Coast Mariners FC on Sunday, 18 February and Adelaide United FC on Saturday, 24 February. Rudan will be eligible for the Wanderers’ match against Sydney FC on Saturday, 2 March 2024.
