CENTRAL Coast Mariners will appeal FIFA's decision to suspend Danny Vukovic from competing for a place at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
On Tuesday, the Mariners received advice from FIFA that the recommended sanctions of an independent appeals committee regarding the suspension of Vukovic had been increased, with FIFA imposing a further sanction making Vukovic ineligible for selection for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Vukovic was initially handed a fifteen month ban with six months suspended by the Hyundai A-League independent match review panel as a result of an incident that occurred between Vukovic and referee Mark Shield at the 2008 Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
In late April, an independent appeals committee reviewed this decision and announced that it had amended Vukovic’s suspension to include a window between 24 June, 2008 and 29 August 2008 for Vukovic to prepare and compete for a place at the 2008 Olympic Games.
However, Tuesday’s advice from FIFA stated that Vukovic will be suspended from all levels of football between 25 February, 2008 until 25 January, 2009, with part of the suspension (between 6 October, 2008 and 25 January, 2009) suspended and only to be implemented should Vukovic re-offend within one year of his return.
"We have carefully considered the FIFA decision and we have respect for the process and for FIFA’s role in this situation, however, FIFA’s powers are confined by a detailed series or rules and regulations and in this case we consider that FIFA exceeded their power in ruling as they have," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"It is important to note that this stage of the appeal is not about the incident that occurred at the Hyundai A-League Grand Final. It is a narrow and discrete legal issue as to whether, according to the powers given to FIFA by their relevant rules and regulations, they have the power to do what they have purported to do.
"This decision to appeal has been taken carefully. The Mariners consider that it is in the best interests of our player and we are entirely comfortable that this is an entirely appropriate action to take, and that the appeal has merit.
"We have great respect for the process, as we have throughout this whole ordeal, and the club won’t be making further comment until that appeal process runs its course.
"As this is now purely a legal argument, we also ask that media respect Danny’s privacy, he having been on a rollercoaster of emotions as you would appreciate."
Vukovic was initially handed a fifteen month ban with six months suspended by the Hyundai A-League independent match review panel as a result of an incident that occurred between Vukovic and referee Mark Shield at the 2008 Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
In late April, an independent appeals committee reviewed this decision and announced that it had amended Vukovic’s suspension to include a window between 24 June, 2008 and 29 August 2008 for Vukovic to prepare and compete for a place at the 2008 Olympic Games.
However, Tuesday’s advice from FIFA stated that Vukovic will be suspended from all levels of football between 25 February, 2008 until 25 January, 2009, with part of the suspension (between 6 October, 2008 and 25 January, 2009) suspended and only to be implemented should Vukovic re-offend within one year of his return.
"We have carefully considered the FIFA decision and we have respect for the process and for FIFA’s role in this situation, however, FIFA’s powers are confined by a detailed series or rules and regulations and in this case we consider that FIFA exceeded their power in ruling as they have," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"It is important to note that this stage of the appeal is not about the incident that occurred at the Hyundai A-League Grand Final. It is a narrow and discrete legal issue as to whether, according to the powers given to FIFA by their relevant rules and regulations, they have the power to do what they have purported to do.
"This decision to appeal has been taken carefully. The Mariners consider that it is in the best interests of our player and we are entirely comfortable that this is an entirely appropriate action to take, and that the appeal has merit.
"We have great respect for the process, as we have throughout this whole ordeal, and the club won’t be making further comment until that appeal process runs its course.
"As this is now purely a legal argument, we also ask that media respect Danny’s privacy, he having been on a rollercoaster of emotions as you would appreciate."
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