On Wednesday, 12 April 2023, the Football Australia independent Disciplinary & Ethics Committee comprising Anthony Lo Surdo SC (Chair), Ben Jones, and Peter Tsekenis (the Committee) convened to consider an incident referred to it, which occurred in or around the 93rd minute of Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s Round 22 Isuzu UTE A-League Men match against Adelaide United FC on Friday, 31 March 2023 (the Match). The incident involved Western Sydney Wanderers’ player, Marcelo Guedes (Marcelo).
On 4 April 2023, in accordance with the A-Leagues Disciplinary Regulations (Regulations), the matter was referred directly to the Committee by the independent Match Review Panel (MRP) as it formed the view that a sanction of greater than four (4) matches was warranted and was therefore required to refer the matter under the Regulations. The MRP had jurisdiction to consider the incident as Marcelo was issued with a direct red card in the Match.
The Committee determined that:
- Marcelo must serve a suspension of two (2) A-League Men matches; and
- Marcelo be issued with a suspended sanction of a further two (2) A-League Men matches or Australia Cup matches, as applicable, which will be triggered in the event that the Referee issues Marcelo with a direct red card or an indirect red card in any A-League Men match or Australia Cup match (as applicable) up until, and including, 31 December 2023.
Subject to any appeal by Marcelo in accordance with the Regulations, as outlined below, Marcelo:
- served one (1) match of his suspension against Macarthur FC in Round 23 of the A-League Men on 8 April 2023; and
- will be ineligible for Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s next A-League Men match against Melbourne Victory FC on 15 April 2023.
Marcelo has the right to appeal the determination of the Committee to Football Australia’s independent Appeals Committee. If Marcelo intends to do so, he must advise Football Australia within seven (7) days of receiving the written determination.
