Adelaide United striker Hiroshi Ibusuki’s controversial red card against Sydney FC has been rescinded as an “obvious error” leaving him free to face Perth Glory.
With Adelaide leading Sydney 1-0, Ibusuki was shown a straight red for fouling Anthony Caceres as he slid for the ball in the 40th minute of Sunday’s A-League Men game at Allianz Stadium.
Closer inspection showed only minor contact with Caceres’ foot but the video assistant referee upheld the on-field ruling and the Reds were reduced to 10 men with more than half the game left to play.
Hiroshi Ibusuki of United is given a red card by referee Daniel Elder. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Sydney took a 2-1 lead and while Adelaide fought back to draw 2-2, they were clearly hindered by their numerical disadvantage.
Football Australia’s independent match review panel (MRP) of Simon Micallef (chairman), Con Diomis, and Alan Davidson assessed the incident on Monday, with Adelaide contending the red card was an obvious error.
“The MRP held that no direct red card was warranted in the circumstances and the other matters required by the regulations were satisfied,” Football Australia said in a statement.
“Therefore, the application was accepted, as there was an obvious error in the issuing of the red card.
“Having accepted the application, the MRP has determined that Ibusuki would not be required to serve the mandatory match suspension, will face no further action for the incident, and will have the red card rescinded and removed from his record.”
The decision means Ibusuki remains eligible for the Johnny Warren Medal for the competition’s best player, as well as making him available for Sunday’s clash with the Glory.
Players who receive straight red cards during the course of the season are ruled out of the voting.
The A-Leagues warned coaches in the pre-season referees would take a dim view of tackles where a player’s studs made contact with their rivals.
In the MRP statement, referees boss Nathan Magill said officials would continue to home in on the three main focuses established in pre-season: “player safety, maximising ball in play, and enhancing the image of the game”.
© AAP
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