Reddy was confronted by team officials at Wellington Airport and asked if he had consumed alcohol on the plane, which he admitted to.

He was put on the next flight back to Sydney and suspended from all duties, with rookie keeper Ryan Norval called into the squad for Friday night's elimination semi-final against Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.

Reddy, the son of former rugby league international Rod Reddy, was to have warmed the bench against Wellington after recently losing his first team spot to Ivan Necevski.

Reddy faces a disciplinary hearing upon the team's return but is likely to have his contract torn up.

"Liam was asked if he had been drinking on the plane and when he admitted he had, a flight home was arranged," a team official said today.

"The club will deal with the situation upon our return from Wellington. It's business as usual for the rest of the players."

Sydney later released a statement today confirming Reddy's suspension.

It added: "Reddy will be charged with breaching Section 6.1 of the National Code of Conduct and will be provided with an opportunity next week to explain his actions."