Berisha free to play, controversial red card rescinded

He obviously did gesticulate, inaccurately demonstrating what Berisha had done, and it could only have been with the idea of getting Berisha in trouble.

Which game did DeVere hit the deck? He got hit. And told the ref it was an accident. WTF is elbow gesticulating? Is that what happens in Melbourne when you are excited?

Some of the football they played........apart from Theo gifting you two goals and Berisha falling over. The panel convened early. Of course they did. it was an MV player. Waz is right.

How does Devere look at himself in the mirror. His backward swan dive and elbow gesticulating was inexcusable.

You are correct, or Franz Thiessen was, it's not an honest competition. Otherwise, why would MV be scheduled to play a catch up match in Wellington on Tue 17 Jan, followed by a match in Perth on Sat 21 Jan. Travelling basically half way around the world to play two matches in four days. Lunacy indeed. The catch up match could have been scheduled for a different week, I am sure. It makes one wonder whether the FFA is staffed by former public service employees, who are rightly renowned for making absurd decisions! Fortunately for the credibility of football in this country, the Match Review Committee displayed the flexibility to sit a day earlier, so we are told, to review what, on the TV evidence, was an extremely dubious red card. The only individual I feel sorry for in this whole scenario is the linesman who signalled the foul, and was so adamant when advising Chris Beath. Hands up anyone here who has not made a highly questionable decision, one that could be life or career changing. Would the assistant, with the advantage of hindsight, taken a different course of action? I hope he would. BTW, I am a Roar supporter and season ticket holder, so I am no lover of MV!

I would have thought this is well and truly within the remit of the MRP. If they rule that the red card should not have been issued on the evidence presented, noting that the central ref didn't see the incident, then I'm pretty comfortable with that. Despite what Devere said after the game, there is little doubt that he played it up for what it's worth, telling the whole stadium that Berisha had elbowed him (demonstrating an elbowing action), when clearly Berisha did not do an action such as that since his arm was outstretched and not bent. If anything, Devere deserves to be punished by the MRP. Foxsports reports: " “We’d like to commend the match review panel for considering the matter quickly to allow us to plan for our game on Tuesday night,’’ Muscat said. “Immediately after the game it appeared to me there were limited grounds to appeal the red card, but after reviewing the footage closely it became clear we could challenge on the basis it was an obvious error." Victory appealed to have the red card rescinded by the MRP, who have the authority to consider the incident as Berisha was sent off for “violent conduct”. The MRP unanimously accepted Victory’s “obvious error (red card) application” and the red card will be expunged from Berisha’s record. “In reviewing the incident, the MRP considered an Obvious Error (Red Card) Application submitted by Melbourne Victory on behalf of Besart Berisha,’’ an FFA statement said. “The MRP unanimously allowed the Obvious Error (Red Card) Application in accordance with the A-League Disciplinary Regulations. Accordingly, the red card will be expunged from Besart Berisha’s record and he will be available to play in Melbourne Victory’s Round 7 catch up match against Wellington Phoenix.’’

@hogdriller... not surprising. Some of the football Victory played in the opening 30' was worthy of some self-pleasuring.

It certainly begs the question, would the review panel have sat a day early if it was a Phoenix player involved?

The HAL is no longer a fair competition. There's a set of rules for the two Sydney and Melbourne clubs and another set of rules for everyone else. The eurosnobs were right this is a micky mouse league.

Sitting here watching Shootout on Foxsports and now know why the far side camera didn't catch Berisha hitting Devere in the mush.......they were panned over watching Muscat pull his zipper back up, lol, brilliant

"so did they review the penalty and the free kick too?" I've got a copy of the ALeague Disciplinary Regulations in front of me. I'm not sure if there is scope for this type of Review by the ALeague MRP. But, I'm sure the Technical Director of ALeague Referees, Ben Wilson does review all the matches and all the decisions every week.

Wrong....if you're going to Red Card any MV player, make sure you've dotted all the 'i' and crossed all the 't'.

so did they review the penalty and the free kick too?

Sat a day early. Red card rescinded. only for MV you know, I think Franz Thiessen was right, it's not an honest competition

Was Obvious Error also the defence used last time, too? Amazing if it were. Lesson for the refs out there: if you're going to Red Card Besart, make sure you've dotted all the 'i' and crossed all the 't'. Attention to detail important for any law enforcement officer.

It's not a legal system though. But had you have been in the country last season you wouldn't have been "floored" by this outcome. It's happened before, and for the same team and player.

Having legal representation at an Appeals Hearing is not "Playing the system". It is a fundamental right within every Legal System.

Victory are masters at playing the system so it's no surprise. They got Berishas ban for a red reduced last season by sending in the club barrister.

Justice prevails.

Well, I'm floored by this decision by MRP. Not that I think Besart deserved a Red Card, I didn't think the ALeague Disciplinary Regulations allowed such an outcome. Kevin Muscat also will be shocked. When questioned about appealing he said he didn't think there were any ground to appeal.