The Wellington Phoenix defender caught Fitzgerald with a stray elbow in the 74th minute of the side's 2-1 loss to Roar on New Year's Day, but was not punished at the time by the referee.

The MRP deemed Muscat's actions to have constituted violent conduct when not challenging for the ball and he will now miss cashes against Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.

Muscat was slapped with the mandatory one-match suspension and a further two games for the severity for the severity of the incident.

With striker Tyler Boyd already suspended after receiving two bookings against Roar, New Zealand international Michael Boxall and Cameron Lindsay have been called into the squad to face Victory.