FFA: Referee was wrong
02/13/2012 09:17:29 AM
Football Federation Australia (FFA) has admitted referee Ryan Shepheard erred by showing Melbourne Heart defender Curtis Good two yellow cards against Newcastle on the weekend without brandishing a red card and sending the teenager off the ground.
The FFA confirmed on Monday that Good will still be suspended for one match as a result, meaning he will miss the Heart's vital clash against bottom-placed Gold Coast on Friday at AAMI Park.
Good's unavailability only compounds things for the Heart who are winless in eight matches and have slipped from second on the ladder at the start of 2012 to sixth thanks only to goal difference.
The Heart are also still missing Matt Thompson (knee), Aziz Behich (Olyroos), Mate Dugandzic (Olyroos) and Jason Hoffman (Olyroos).
But captain Fred (groin) played 30 minutes for the Heart's National Youth League team and could be available to take on Miron Bleiberg's men.
Meanwhile, the FFA backed the controversial red card that was handed to Central Coast defender Trent Sainsbury against Melbourne Victory and he also copped a one-match ban.
Sainsbury received a straight red for his challenge on Fabio which appeared to be a harsh call at the time.
But the 20-year-old will now sit out the Mariners' clash with Wellington Phoenix at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.