Roy O’Donovan has been hit with a ten-game ban as a result of ‘serious foul play’ during the 2018 A-League Grand Final.
He must serve his ten-game ban across A-League and FFA Cup matches, whichever come first, although he does have a seven-day period in which to lodge an appeal, if he wishes to do so.
An unlikely attempt to challenge for the ball saw O’Donovan’s studs make contact with the face of Melbourne Victory’s Lawrence Thomas in the 93rd minute of the grand final.
O’Donovan’s counsel Simon Phillips argued that O’Donovan had been ‘careless’ and ‘reckless’ but had made a genuine play for control of the ball.
However the disciplinary committee remained unconvinced of that. FFA counsel Ivan Griscti said “it does appear that the player [O’Donovan] is looking at the goalkeeper [Thomas].”
O’Donovan said the incident had not been intentional.
“I had to make a split-second decision to go with my foot in the hope that if I got a touch the reward was massive – we had a chance to win the grand final,” O’Donovan said.
“As soon as I left the ground there was no way to stop.”
He also said that his vision had been affected by a collision with a stray elbow from Besart Berisha shortly before the incident.
“I feel if my eye was perfect my timing would have been a bit better.
“As a striker you have a responsibility to attack the ball … unfortunately this time I hit the goalkeeper in the face which I’m devastated about.
“I have never set out to hurt anybody in my career, nor will I.”
Newcastle lost the grand final 0-1 amidst controversy regarding the Video Assistant Referee.
Squizz
Guest
If it was intentional the charge should have been violent conduct and 12 months would be appropriate. I believe it was dangerous and reckless - serious foul play. In those circumstances then 10 weeks is about right.
Griffo
Roar Guru
That’s the problem with looking at the freeze frame image at the last moment: - Any player of any ball sport is taught to look at the ball at all times, especially when making contact with equipment or hand/foot; - Looking at the whole action O’Donovan has his eyes on the ball, and since it was high, has launched himself in the air with his foot raised up to intercept the flight path of the ball. Of course Thomas got there first and caught the ball. People also naturally, automatically, look at faces or patterns that look like faces from peripheral vision. So the last possible moment, with his eyes on the ball, and with Thomas having caught it, O’Donovan has naturally looked at Thomas’ face at or near impact - Thomas caught the ball ‘well’ before O’Donovan would have got the ball if at all. Giving the box is crowded for a free kick into the box, it is reckless and dangerous play. Had O’Donovan connect the ball and scored, with a bit of the keeper along the way, it would be interesting to know if the goal would have been allowed, given reckless and dangerous play from either defender or attacker. I am not surprised it’s 10 games, but to take action from one frame and not consider the whole play I think is a bit disingenuous.
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
IMO Tim, for what I saw I thought it was intentional and it should have been 12 months. Then again, like Kanga has implied above regards some of the other ridiculously dangerous assaults a few seasons ago, some players (or even clubs) are seen to be a protected species. Anyone remember the Cantona episode, although this moment of madness was as he left the field and not during play against another player, he was awarded a year ban I think from memory. Some weeks later, someone plastered the address on light poles etc of the guy whom Cantona kicked, had to move his family out to an undisclosed location due to the harrassment and death threats from others standing outside his house at all hours.
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Agreed.
tim
Guest
Either it's intentional, or it's not. It had to be either a 12+ month suspension or an exoneration. To say that an intentional (according to the ruling) kick to the face is only worth ten weeks is a joke.
Kangajets
Guest
The precedent has been set by Shane Smeltz playing for Sydney FC kicking the jets keeper in the face , required surgery... no suspension That was smeltz second offence .. he almost killed Neil young .... no suspension It’s all about who you play for when it comes to suspensions .. the evidence and precedents were set with Shane Smeltz. No wonder people call this a Mickey Mouse league .
Buddy
Guest
If it was our local association dealing with it he would have got a longer sentence due to past record. Bear in mind he was out for 7 matches when at CCM plus the mandatory 1 game for a send off. That was headbutting Muscat from memory. Now if he had headbutted the right Muscat, he would have received a commendation! Seriously though, whenever I watch him play, I see a nasty streak in his play that belongs back in the 1970’s. When we saw the red card being flashed, everyone around our bay was asking who it was for, to which I responded, that it would have to hve been a “get square” or something nasty from O’Donovan.... and then he appeared, out of the melee!
Kangajets
Guest
Neil young almost died after smeltz kicked his face .... read the story No suspension for smeltz twice It’s all about who you play for in the a league
M20
Guest
Ridiculous
fadida
Guest
There were mitigating circumstances, frustration at being a wrongly allowed goal down, real frustration that he was elbowed in the face by Berisha who got away with it. Still no excuse for it though, but I'd have thought 5-6 games was sufficient? Absurd claim that he's never gone out to hurt anyone though. Who did he head-butt when at the Mariners? He's a decent goalscorer who works hard, but he has a hair trigger temper and thus is unreliable. I'd try and get rid of him if I was Jets management.
Kangajets
Guest
Shane smeltz got away with it Twice agsinst the jets https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/coupler.foxsports.com.au/api/v1/article/amp/football/mark-birighitti-injury-shane-smeltz-distraught-after-sickening-challenge-reminiscent-of-past-incident/news-story/112519a0ccd8d2f8cb39e560e341534f
Kangajets
Guest
Shane smeltz got away with it
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
What is seriously absurd is the both legs off the ground, way too high and dangerous kick with studs showing that O Donovan gave Thomas into the face. The guy is a hack thug that makes Matt Simon look like a naughty schoolboy. Should have been more than 10 considering Avraam Papadopoulos got 7 for spitting in the direction of Simon, wtf.
Greg
Guest
Seriously absurd decision. Ivan Griscti states "it does appear the player was looking at the goal keeper". WTF. Yes, at the time the ball is in the keepers hands. Obviously he was looking at ball and not the goal keeper at the relevant time he challanges for the ball/ lifts his leg etc. To indicate or imply such actions were intentional is seriously misplaced and cruel. There is precendent on this. Smeltz on Birra, epl the other day etc. None of those would render a 10 week suspension reasonable.
Griffo
Roar Guru
At the time I wasn’t going to be surprised by a 10 game ban and I’m still not (surprised) by the verdict. The Jets have anticipated a lengthy ban and are recruiting a striker as back up for O’Donovan - injury or suspension. If said striker is scoring regularly then maybe a tough gig for O’Donovan to get a starting place next season.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
How many weeks did Berisha get for his elbow to O'Donovan's face. Its the third or fourth grand final in a row where he has elbowed someone in the head and gotten away with it scott free. And don't try and say each time it was an accident.
Kangajets
Guest
He get off if he was berisha or bobo or Mierzejewski... they all got zero suspension for foul play this year However, O’Donovan does deserve a lengthy ban . Funny how coaches running into the field and hitting carney is seen as a lesser offence .
Kangajets
Guest
While O’Donovan deserves his suspension, it’s all about who you play for Twice Shane smeltz broke the jets keeper mark birtigitti teeth and neil young broke his jaw and had to retire from serious infection.. smeltz got zero suspension for his face kicking action. As for O’Donovan, berisha elbowing him in the head just prior is a poor excuse.. .he deserves his suspension Now let’s see all the other clubs get suspensions next year for serious foul play .. lol yeah right
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
10 games for that? Seems the Disciplinary Committees are as inconsistent as some of our Officials.