Australia NewsGrand Final Red Card Bungles |
THE FFA have backed down on the two Grand Final dismissals...and admitted referee Matthew Breeze blundered.
Adelaide United's Cristiano was sent off after just 10 minutes when he collided with Melbourne Victory defender Rody Vargas.
The clash drew blood - but most fans at the game on both sides reckoned it was accidental. However Breeze reached for his red card after consulting the linesman, throwing Adelaide's gameplan into disarray.
The numbers were levelled in the middle of the second half when Allsopp also saw red for his off the ball incident with Robert Cornthwaite. Allsopp was alleged to have headbutted the tall defender, but has angrily protested his innocence.
TV replays suggest he may have simply barged into Cornthwaite with his shoulder.
The FFA match review panel met today to consider the two dismissals after appeals by both clubs against the sendings off - and backed the players.
In a rare U-turn - and a shock decision inherently critical of Referee Of The Year Breeze - they overturned his red cards and ordered the dismissals be removed fromt he players' records, with no further sanctions.
Adelaide United Football Club CEO Sam Ciccarello said, "We are very pleased for Cristiano and the club that the Match Review Panel has reached this decision."
"The matter has now been dealt with and we have no further comment to make regarding this issue."
An official statement from the FFA added: "Adelaide United player, Cristiano, was issued with an R2 Red Card for "violent conduct". The MRP firstly considered a challenge to the Red Card by the player. The challenge was upheld and, accordingly, the Red Card is expunged from the record of the player and he is not required to serve a sanction.
"Melbourne Victory player, Danny Allsopp, was issued with an R2 Red Card for "violent conduct". The Match Review Panel firstly considered a challenge to the Red Card made by the player. The challenge was upheld and, accordingly, the Red Card is expunged from the record of the player and he is not required to serve a sanction."
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