Adelaide United defender Iacopo La Rocca has been suspended for three matches, after being cited for an incident against Sydney FC last Friday, the Match Review Panel (MRP) have confirmed.
La Rocca, 31, was involved in an off-the-ball scuffle with Sky Blues striker Matt Simon before the pair both fell to the ground clutching their faces around the 24-minute mark.
Referee Chris Beath appeared to have dealt with the situation on the field, following a discussion with his assistant, deciding against taking any disciplinary action.
However, yesterday the MRP cited La Rocca for the incident and have since ruled the former Western Sydney man committed a violent conduct offence (Assault on a Player).
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As a result, the MRP have handed the player an obligatory one-match ban plus an additional two games, meaning he will be unavailable for the key fixtures against Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.
La Rocca had already been omitted from Sunday’s clash with the Mariners, after sustaining a first-half groin injury against Sydney and was subsequently replaced by Jordan Elsey.
The Italian has until 12:00pm (AEDT) Thursday 11 February to question the nature of the sanction imposed by the MRP to the Disciplinary Committee.
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