The Football Federation Australia (FFA) independent Disciplinary & Ethics Committee comprising John Marshall SC (Chair), Anthony Lo Surdo SC and Robert Wheatley (the Committee) convened to consider an incident referred to it, which arose in or around the 68th minute of the Hyundai A-League Round 11 Match between Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United on Saturday, 5 January 2019.
The incident involved Armando Sosa Pena (the Player) of Wellington Phoenix and it resulted in him receiving a direct red card.
In accordance with the Hyundai A-League Disciplinary Regulations, the matter was referred to the Committee by the independent Match Review Panel (MRP). The MRP had jurisdiction to consider the incident as the Player was issued with a direct red card in the match.
The Committee determined that the Player must serve a suspension of two (2) matches, being the Mandatory Match Suspension plus one (1) additional Hyundai A-League match. The Committee also issued a suspended sanction of a further one (1) match which will be triggered in the event that the Player receives another direct red card up until the conclusion of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season, including Finals Series.
As the Player has already served his Mandatory Match Suspension in Wellington Phoenix’s Round 12 match against Western Sydney Wanderers FC, the Player will be ineligible for Wellington Phoenix’s Round 13 match against Central Coast Mariners, which is scheduled for Saturday, 12 January 2019.
The Player has the right to appeal the determination of the Committee. If the Player intends to do so, he must advise FFA within 7 days of receiving the written determination.
