NORTH Queensland have reacted strongly to last Saturday's ugly altercation between the club's coaches Stuart McLaren and Franz Straka and officials by issuing a range of sanctions.
The Fury submitted a formal response to the FFA on Friday, outlining their position on the actions of Straka and McLaren towards the officials following the incident which occurred moments prior to half-time in last Saturday's clash against Central Coast Mariners.
The Townsville-based club came down hardest on McLaren who was issued with a $5,000 suspended fine and a two-match suspension, along with a season-long ban on matchday media duties, while Straka was issued with a formal warning.
Commenting on these sanctions, North Queensland Fury chief executive Rabieh Krayem said: "The Club has taken this serious action to send a strong reminder to all involved with the North Queensland Fury about the responsibility they have to the sport and the wider community.
"They must at all times embody the values of the Fury and remember that they are positive role models who represent this Club at all times.
"The Club believes these actions are a strong demonstration of our commitment to upholding the National Code of Conduct and will be seen as such by football fans and the public in general."
The Fury revealed the sanctions in a press release on Friday.
"The Club has conducted an internal investigation into the actions of both Team Officials, using as a strict guide the alleged breaches of the various clauses of the National Code of Conduct (Code) and have taken the following action," the statement said.
"Head Coach Franz Straka has been issued with a formal warning in relation to his conduct towards the match officials at half time.
"The Club has spoken to Franz about this incident and it's clear to anyone that knows him, that his intension was never meant to cause harm or to bring the sport into disrepute. The touch was in no way deliberate and should be viewed within the context of Franz's natural animation and enthusiasm, which has been widely applauded by media and the public, and is seen as an asset to the A-League.
"Franz also acknowledged his error at the time by apologising to the Fourth Official after half time and he also sent a formal apology to the FFA and match officials on Monday 4th October."
"With regards to comments made by Assistant Coach Stuart McLaren towards officials at half time and about them during his post-match media commitments, the Club has deemed these to be inappropriate and not in line with the sport's Code of Conduct," the statement said.
"Although these comments were made in the tunnel away from the public eye, this does not take away from the seriousness of these comments and as such, the Club has taken the following steps.
"Stuart McLaren has been stood down from his role as Assistant Coach for the next two games against Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets. His suspension for those games will be in line with clause 13.2 of the A-League disciplinary regulations.
"Further to this, Stuart McLaren has been issued with a suspended fine of $5,000. The suspended fine will be triggered by any further breach during the Hyundai A-League 2010/2011 season and any subsequent final series matches.
"In light of his post-match media comments, the Club has instructed Stuart that he will no longer undertake any North Queensland Fury match-day media duties for the remainder of the 2010/11 season.
"The North Queensland Fury and Stuart McLaren would like to apologise to the FFA, the Officials involved in the Central Coast Mariners match and NQ Fury supporters for his poor judgement and for any negativity this has brought upon the sport."
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