The A-League disciplinary committee on Wednesday night upheld the two-match ban handed out to Melbourne Victory striker Nik Mrdja.
The Victory had been hoping to have Mrdja’s ban reduced to one game after he was punished for elbowing defender Shannon Cole in the major semi-final first leg against Sydney FC.
The disciplinary committee’s decision has the potential to rub the controversial forward out of the upcoming grand final, should the Victory advance straight through to the decider.
Melbourne won the first leg at Etihad Stadium 2-1 and will earn the right to host the grand final with a win or draw in Sunday’s second leg at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The Victory have seven days to lodge an appeal against the committee’s verdict.
The loss of Mrdja for the next two games leaves Melbourne struggling for options up front with strikers Archie Thompson and Robbie Kruse struggling to return from injury for Sunday’s game.
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