PERTH Glory skipper Jacob Burns has escaped sanction for his clash with Adam D'Apuzzo leaving the midfielder free to line up against North Queensland Fury on Saturday.
The Match Review Panel ruled they had no power to act after the Perth skipper appeared to try to head butt D'Apuzzo.
Referee Matthew Breeze stepped in quickly to defuse the situation, leaving the panel unable to intervene as the incident did not escape the official's attention.
While Burns is clear to play this weekend, Gold Coast United's Steve Fitzsimmons will sit out his team's encounter with Wellington Phoenix.
He has received a the statutory minimum one-match ban for the red card he received for a rash tackle on Melbourne Victory's Leigh Broxham.
The FFA spelt out the official rulings in a statement: "The Match Review Panel comprising of Barry Such (Chair), Alan Davidson and Simon Micallef convened to consider the following incidents from Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League:
- Red Card issued to Steve Fitzsimmons (Gold Coast United): The MRP determined to impose the mandatory one (1) match suspension for his R1 Red Card for "Serious Foul Play" challenge on Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory) in the 29th minute. This is the minimum sanction for this offence under the Hyundai A-League Disciplinary Regulations.
- In relation to the incident involving Jacob Burns (Perth Glory) and Adam D'apuzzo (Newcastle Jets) in the 48th minute, the incident did not escape the attention of the referee. In accordance with FIFA and FFA Regulations, the MRP has no authority to intervene."
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