MELBOURNE, April 23 (Reuters) - Australian league goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has had his nine-month ban for manhandling referee Mark Shields reduced to six months and split to allow him to play at the Beijing Olympics.
Vukovic, who plays for the Central Coast Mariners club, was
initially suspended for 15 months after being sent off during
the A-League final in February. The ban was later reduced to
nine months on appeal.
An independent committee ruled on Wednesday that his
suspension be further reduced, Football Federation Australia
said in a statement.
'The effect of the appeals committee decision means that
Vukovic will not be eligible to play in the A-League
competition again until Oct. 6, but he is eligible for
selection to the Australian Olympic team,' the FFA said.
The 23-year-old will also be on probation for three months
until Jan. 25.
Vukovic, who was fined A$10,000 ($9,490), was sent off
after striking Shield on the arm.
Central Coast players had remonstrated with the referee
after he failed to award them a spot kick for a blatant
handball by Newcastle midfielder James Holland.
A penalty would have given the Mariners the chance of an
equaliser to force the championship decider into extra-time but
Shield waved away their pleas.
Vukovic's club chairman said he was pleased with the
outcome.
'I am delighted for Danny, who is a tremendous young man,
that he is eligible for selection for the Olympic team,' said
Mariners executive chairman Lyall Gorman.
'Danny ...is an integral part of the team, having played
every minute of all 14 qualifying games that secured Australia
their berth in Beijing.'
