Vukovic's Olympic dream dashed after appeal

Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic had his Olympic dream shattered when a Football Federation Australia disciplinary committee made only a minimal reduction to his ban for striking a referee on appeal.

After a marathon seven-hour hearing FFA decided to retain Vukovic's nine month suspension but chose to reduce the probationary period from six months to three.

The original ban did not extend beyond the A-League but Mariners executive chairman Lyall Gorman said it was now just a matter of due course that FFA would pass this latest verdict on to FIFA, who would then make the suspension global.

Vukovic was shown a red card in the February 24 grand final loss to Newcastle after hitting referee Mark Shield on the arm when the Mariners had a late penalty appeal turned down.

The 22-year-old was later found guilty of a violent conduct charge and banned for 15 months, with six suspended on a probationary basis.

The custodian was an Olyroos regular and considered a certainty to play for Australia in the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

Vukovic had been part of the Olyroos' qualifying campaign for two and a half years, playing in 14 matches.

He will not likely get another chance to play in the Olympics because the rules specify only three players are allowed to be over 23 years of age.