On Tuesday, 14 March 2023, the independent Match Review Panel (MRP) – consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Con Diomis, and Alan Davidson – convened to consider two (2) incidents outlined below arising in the Round 20 Isuzu UTE A-League Men competition.
The MRP considered an incident involving Tomislav Mrcela (Mrcela) of Western Sydney Wanderers FC in or around the 84th minute of Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s A-League Men match against Perth Glory FC on Friday, 10 March 2023.
In accordance with the A-Leagues Disciplinary Regulations (the Regulations), the MRP has the authority to consider the incident as Mrcela was issued with a direct Red Card by the Referee.
The MRP determined that Mrcela committed the offence of “denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, as prescribed in Law 12 of the Laws of the Game”. The minimum sanction for the offence is one (1) match, being the Mandatory Match Suspension. The MRP confirmed that Mrcela will serve a suspension of one (1) match, being the minimum sanction for the offence.