FFA Crack Down on Divers

The FFA have cracked down on divers and suspended the two players involved in the controveresy from the weekend.

The FFA Match review panel deemed that Perth Glory’s Michael Baird and Central Coast Mariner’s Patrico Perez were to have dived during their respective games in Round 4 of the A-League.

Patrico Perez dived after he tried to go around Sydney keeper Liam Reddy, with Reddy then receiving a straight red card and the Mariners awarded a penalty. Perez then converted the spot-kick, to bring the scores level at 1-1 which left reigning champions Sydney FC still without a win this season.

Michael Baird’s blantant simulation earned the Perth Glory a chance to equalize, in the dying moments against the Melbourne Heart in their game at AAMI Park on Sunday night. There was no contact at all, but the referee decided to award a penalty to Glory. Fowler stepped up and converted his first goal for new club Glory, whilst Melbourne Heart were also left without a win this season.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC keeper Liam Reddy will not be banned, and has had his red card revoked.

A statement added: “The MRP firstly considered an Obvious Error (Red Card) Application by [Reddy].

“The Obvious Error Application was upheld and, accordingly, the Red Card is expunged from the record of the player and he is not required to serve a sanction.

“The MRP considered whether [Perez] had committed an act of simulation that was not detected by the referee during the match.

“In doing so the MRP determined that the player committed simulation and accordingly the MRP imposed a sanction of two matches. This is the mandatory sanction prescribed under the A-League Disciplinary Regulations for such an offence.

“[In] the circumstances surrounding the penalty awarded to Michael Baird (Perth Glory) in or around the 92nd minute of Perth Glory’s match against Melbourne Heart on Sunday, the MRP considered whether the player had committed an act of simulation that was not detected by the referee during the match.

“In doing so the MRP determined that the player committed simulation and accordingly the MRP imposed a sanction of two matches.”

This now means Perez will miss the next two games against the Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart, both at Bluetongue Stadium. Whilst Michael Baird will miss next two home games against Wellington Phoenix and Gold Coast United. Liam Reddy though is availaible for the game against Adelaide United at the SFS this Saturday.

Category: A-League News