Melbourne Victory’s worst fears have been realised with mainstay striker Besart Berisha hit with a two-game ban by FFA’s Match Review Panel (MRP), judged to have engaged in violent conduct. One of those matches comes about through a mandatory suspension plus an additional week.
The Albanian lashed out at Wellington Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante in Victory’s 4-1 win at Westpac Stadium on Saturday while laying on the surface receiving medical treatment, appearing to kick the Kiwi international in the chest.
Referee Ben Williams immediately sent off the 17-goal striker.
A two-game ban means Berisha will be unavailable for Victory’s final match of the home and away season against Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Saturday as well as the club’s first final, for which their opponent is yet to be decided.
Victory and Berisha have until 5pm tomorrow (5 April) to refer the matter to FFA’s Disciplinary Committee. It is widely believed an appeal will happen, with Victory rumoured to be prepared to argue Berisha was affected by concussion at the time of the incident.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Jets captain Nigel Boogaard’s red card, picked up against Brisbane Roar for denying Henrique a clear goalscoring opportunity, was upheld.
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