On Monday, 30 December 2024, the independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Alan Davidson and Rhali Dobson convened to consider two (2) incidents arising out of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men matches played between Friday, 27 December and Sunday, 29 December 2024, in relation to Alen Stajcic of Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Zinedine Machach of Melbourne Victory FC.
In addition, Football Australia notes that there was one other incident which arose over the course of the A-Leagues matches outlined above resulting in a suspension, which is also set out below.
Alen Stajcic (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)
The independent MRP considered an incident in or around the 90+4th minute of Western Sydney Wanderers FC (Wanderers) Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Adelaide United FC on Friday, 27 December 2024, in which Alen Stajcic (Stajcic) received a direct Red Card.
In accordance with the A-Leagues Disciplinary Regulations (Regulations), the MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Stajcic was issued with a direct Red Card by the Referee.
The MRP determined that Stajcic committed the offence of “Deliberately leaving the Technical Area to act in a provocative or inflammatory manner or enter the opposing Technical Area in an aggressive or confrontational manner, or to enter the video operation room”. The Minimum
Sanction for the offence is a one (1) match suspension, being the Mandatory Match Suspension. The MRP confirmed that Stajcic will serve a suspension of one (1) match for the offence, before being eligible to participate in Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Melbourne Victory FC on Saturday, 4 January 2025.
Gabriel Cleur (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)
In or around the 47th minute of Wanderers’ Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Adelaide United FC on Friday, 27 December 2024, Gabriel Cleur (Cleur) was issued with a Yellow Card.
In accordance with the Regulations, as Cleur accumulated his fifth Yellow Card of the season, he will serve a Mandatory Match Suspension of one (1) Isuzu UTE A-League Men match, before being available for selection for Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s match against Melbourne Victory FC on Saturday, 4 January 2025.
Zinedine Machach (Melbourne Victory FC)
The independent MRP considered an incident in or around the 15th minute of Melbourne Victory FC’s (Victory) Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Sydney FC on Saturday, 28 December 2024, in which Zinedine Machach (Machach) received a direct Red Card.
In accordance with the Regulations, the MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Machach was issued with a direct Red Card by the Referee.
The MRP determined that Machach committed the offence of “Serious foul play (e.g. when challenging for the ball)”. The Minimum Sanction for the offence is a one (1) match suspension, being the Mandatory Match Suspension. The MRP confirmed that Machach will serve a suspension of one (1) match for the offence, before being eligible for selection for Melbourne Victory FC’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Western Sydney Wanderers FC on Saturday, 4 January 2025.
