Football Federation Australia announced today that the appeals committee had decided on a suspension for Vukovic up to 24 June, 2008 and from 29 August through to 5 October, 2008.

Vukovic was also fined $10,000 and will have a further part of the sentence suspended from 6 October, 2008 through to 25 January, 2009.

In effect, this means Vukovic will be ineligible to play for the Mariners in the early rounds of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09, but will be eligible for selection for the Australian Olympic team.

"I am delighted for Danny, who is a tremendous young man, that he is eligible for selection for the Olympic team," said Gorman.

"Danny has put in so much effort throughout the Qantas Under 23’s qualification campaign and he is an integral part of the team, having played every minute of all 14 qualifying games that secured Australia their berth in Beijing.

"I know that Danny has been working vigorously to maintain sufficient fitness and motivation to be selected for these Olympic Games should his appeal be successful, despite the incredible emotional drain of the judiciary process over the past two months."

Furthermore, Gorman stated that the Mariners would ‘cop it on the chin’ that Vukovic is not able to play for the first seven rounds of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 competition, but said that was a ‘fairer’ decision than Olympic Games exclusion, as the incident took place in a Hyundai A-League match.

"The incident occurred in the Hyundai A-League Grand Final and by the time the sentence is served, Danny will have missed in the vicinity of 25 possible matches, including seven Hyundai A-League matches," said Gorman.

"He has expressed sincere regret and remorse at the incident and an absolute determination to rebuild the high credibility he has always had as a role model both on and off the field.

"I am totally confident that this incident will remain as it was at the time as a split second emotional, while inexcusable explosion, and I have no doubt that Danny will come out the other side as a wiser and better footballer for the lessons that have evolved from it."