Central Coast Mariners players Brian Kaltak and Moresche, as well as head coach Nick Montgomery have received the minimum suspensions by the Match Review Panel after their red cards on Friday night against Wellington Phoenix.
Kaltak has been given the minimum suspension of two (2) matches, with Moresche also receiving a two (2) match ban. Nick Montgomery has been suspended for one (1) game.
While the Central Coast Mariners are disappointed that these suspensions have been handed down, the club has opted not to appeal, instead maintaining its focus on preparations for the upcoming match.
Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp is calling for greater consistency across the A-league:
“Whilst we appreciate the technical rules giving rise to the recent decisions made on Friday night in our game against Wellington Phoenix, we are frustrated by the common inconsistency arising when these rules are being applied on the field,” Mielekamp said.
“This week we are writing to both the APL and Football Australia to express our concerns, and to request an opportunity to collaborate with both organisations on reforms to certain parts of the officiating structure. We’re hopeful these efforts will help improve the product.”
“For example, Nick Montgomery on Friday night said nothing to the referee, he merely stepped out of his technical area for a fraction of a moment in a heated and controversial part of the game. Now he has to watch from the sidelines next week as the technical application of the rule was applied, as he “waved his arms outside the technical area”.
“If this rule was applied consistently across the league to coaches leaving the technical area, every head coach from every club would be in this situation throughout the season and sitting in the grandstand. Naturally, we feel that can’t be the outcome anyone wants for football.”
“It is important that everyone knows Monty did not swear or verbally abuse anyone when he was given his second yellow card on Friday.”
“The referees are a huge part of the game and to create the best experience we can for fans of the A-League, we need to all work in the same direction, be open to reforming operations for the betterment of the game, and all share a common vision for how we want the league to be conducted. We owe it to the fans of the A-League and Football to get this right and to find a better way, which is why we’ve begun actively communicating with the governing bodies.”
Montgomery will miss this weekend’s match against Western Sydney Wanderers, returning for our match against Macarthur FC in Mudgee. Kaltak and Moresche will miss both of those games, returning for our round 21 away trip to Melbourne Victory.
