On Thursday, 8 February 2024, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee comprising of Anthony Lo Surdo SC (Chair), Ben Jones and Tommy Oar (the Committee), convened to consider an incident referred to it, which occurred in or around the 90+10th minute of Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s (Wanderers) match against Western United FC on Saturday, 27 January 2024.
Aidan Simmons
The incident involved Wanderers player Aidan Simmons (Simmons) and resulted in him receiving a direct Red Card.
On Monday, 29 January 2024, in accordance with the A-Leagues Disciplinary Regulations (the Regulations), the independent Match Review Panel (the MRP) determined that Simmons had committed the offence of “Serious foul play (e.g. when challenging for the ball)” (the Offence). The MRP proposed a sanction of three (3) Isuzu UTE A-League Men matches, being the Minimum Sanction for the offence (one (1) match), plus two (2) additional matches.
Simmons referred the matter to the Committee for hearing and determination of the sole question of 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 in with the Regulations.
The Committee determined that (a) Simmons had committed the Offence and (b) must serve a suspension of three (3) Isuzu UTE A-League Men matches, being the Minimum Sanction for the Offence plus two (2) additional matches. As Simmons had already served the Mandatory Match Suspension of one match, he will be, subject to any successful appeal:
- ineligible for the Wanderers’ next Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Newcastle Jets FC on Sunday, 11 February 2024;
- ineligible for the Wanderers’ subsequent Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Central Coast Mariners FC on Sunday, 18 February 2024; and
- eligible to participate in the Wanderers’ following Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Adelaide United FC on Saturday, 24 February 2024.
Simmons has the right to appeal the determination of the Committee to Football Australia’s independent Appeals Committee. If Simmons intends to do so, he must advise Football Australia within seven (7) days of receiving the written determination.
Thomas Beadling
Football Australia has also received notice on behalf of Thomas Beadling (Beadling) withdrawing his referral to the Committee challenging the sanction proposed by the Match Review Panel in relation to his red card against Western United FC on Saturday, 27 January 2024. Accordingly, Beadling will be ineligible for the Wanderers’ next three (3) Isuzu UTE A-League Men matches, before being eligible for selection for the Wanderers’ match against Sydney FC on Saturday, 2 March 2024.
