SYDNEY, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic was sent off while his team protested furiously over an injury-time refereeing decision in their 1-0 loss to Newcastle Jets in Australia's A-League final on Sunday.
Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported that Vukovic had
been dismissed for violent conduct and striking the referee.
The incident will be reviewed by the Football Federation of
Australia's match committee on Monday and Vukovic could face a
life ban.
Vukovic was sent off as Central Coast players angrily protested to referee Mark Shields that Newcastle's James Holland
had handled in the area.
Newcastle striker Mark Bridge scored the winner in the 64th
minute when he dispossessed Central Coast defender Tony Vidmar
and found the right-hand corner from just outside the penalty
box.
Central Coast coach Lawrie McKinna told AAP he was unaware
of the referee being hit but said Vukovic had let his emotions
get the better of him.
'I think it's just passion and hunger and when you see
something and it doesn't get dealt with,' McKinna said.
'Sometimes emotions get the better of you and tonight it did
with Danny.'
The A-League was established three years ago as part of a
national overhaul of soccer and the two finalists will represent
Australia in next year's Asian Champions League.
'It's every boy's dream to score the winning goal in a grand
final,' Bridge told reporters.
'Scoring in any big game you always feel good scoring in a
grand final the feeling is times ten.'
