The second-longest A-League ban in history will stand after Newcastle Jets striker Roy O’Donovan failed in a bid to have his 10-week sentence reduced.
O’Donovan had lashed out wildly in the dying minutes of this year’s grand final against Melbourne Victory, kicking ‘keeper Lawrence Thomas as he attempted to connect with a cross.
The incident earned him an instant red card as his side succumbed 1-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Replays did the Irishman no favours, the kick clearly striking Thomas, who was already bandaged at the time, in the jaw.
He went down heavily and was bandaged further before seeing out the match.
O’Donovan subsequently copped the 10-week ban by the FFA – his appeal held on Tuesday.
“I thought I had the chance of winning the ball,” O’Donovan told FoxSports before the hearing with the independent appeals committee began.
“It was unfortunate. I apologised to Lawrence after the match, he’s a great lad and he deserved that man of the match on the night.
“Fortunately the goalkeeper wasn’t hurt.
“Hopefully I get a fair chance to state my case because I’m very apologetic about it.
“…. Just because it’s Roy O’Donovan doesn’t mean I’m satan.”
O’Donovan had received an eight-match ban back in 2016 when playing for the Central Coast Mariners against Wellington Phoenix.
That was for a headbutt to defender Manny Muscat.
Only Danny Vukovic has received a bigger suspension than O’Donovan’s most recent A-League effort, the former Mariners custodian copping a nine-month ban for striking a referee in 2008.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Yeah but ... Roy’s got form
At work
Roar Rookie
Actually I take it back, I think Roy's suspension is too long when you consider the smaller suspensions laid out in the past: http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/roy-odonovan-suspension-aleague-newcastle-jets-melbourne-victory-/7zb5426vhzh31knx41oemdd4m
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Good to see the broken cheekbone that berisha gave Roy went unpunished. Great review system in Australia To think that twice Shane smrltz broke a jets keepers jaw and went unpunished. It’s all about which big team you play for .
At work
Roar Rookie
10 matches is a fair punishment for his reckless attempt at getting to the ball. Poor old Lawie Thomas though, put his body (and head) on the line in the GF!
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Good to hear his ban has held, mind you if he played for MVFC it might have been a different outcome. “I thought I had the chance of winning the ball,” O’Donovan told FoxSports"…….lmfao.