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Sarah Ferguson’s explosive Four Corners exposé into the culture of group sex in Rugby League has ignited a media frenzy that shows no sign of abating. Football Federation Australia officials must be gritting their teeth then, for the A-League is set to become embroiled in a sex scandal of its own with Sebastian Ryall at the centre of it.
In a terse media statement released by FFA officials this afternoon, it was announced that Sydney FC defender Sebastian Ryall has been suspended until September 3 for bringing the game into disrepute.
Ryall has been charged with engaging in a sexual act with a 13-year-old girl.
The incident is alleged to have occurred in January 2008, when Ryall was just 18.
Ryall has been suspended under a Code of Conduct clause for bringing the game into disrepute – and will miss the start of the A-League season for new club Sydney FC.
While the FFA release indicates that “the player has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charge and his lawyer has indicated his client intends to strenuously defend his innocence,” the charge is a serious blow for a competition that has until now maintained a relatively clean-cut image.
A betting scandal that saw Melbourne Victory duo Kevin Muscat and Grant Brebner disciplined along with Brisbane Roar stalwart Craig Moore received widespread media coverage.
But Ryall’s alleged indiscretion will almost certainly result in the A-League being lumped in with the media furore that has engulfed former Footy Show host Matthew Johns in the wake of the Four Corners report.
The timing could hardly be worse for a Sydney FC side looking to rebuild under the auspices of Czech coach Vítězslav Lavička.
The inaugural A-League champions were made aware of the alleged incident just sixteen days after announcing the signing of Ryall from Melbourne Victory.
The current captain of the Young Socceroos, Ryall will also be stood down from international duty until the outcome of his criminal case has been determined.
“The sanction is not imposed on the basis that the player is guilty of the charge that he faces. FFA has not formed a view of the player’s guilt or innocence of the charge as this is a matter for the courts,” stated the FFA.
Ryall was in action for Sydney FC in a sold-out pre-season friendly against NSW Super League side Macarthur Rams just two days ago.
But his suspension is a serious blow to an A-League looking to negotiate a rocky financial climate and an often hostile mainstream media.