Mariners call for A-League MRP change

Jan 23, 2017 - 7:58 AM The Central Coast Mariners have called for change to the A-League's disciplinary system so that players like Roy O'Donovan aren't delivered "double whammy" punishments.

O'Donovan will miss Saturday's home clash with Perth Glory this weekend after being issued a one-match suspension for striking Melbourne City's Michael Jakobson.

The A-League's match review panel has determined the Irishman engaged in "serious foul play" in his first-half aerial contest with Jakobson during last Thursday's 2-1 defeat at AAMI Park.

O'Donovan backed into Jakobson with a raised arm, hitting the City defender in the face and controversially earning him a straight red card.

Mariners coach Paul Okon described the decision by referee Daniel Elder as "madness" and "insanity" and claimed that it ruined the match.

The club accepted the MRP's decision on Monday after opting not to appeal, as it could have led to an even longer ban under the A-League's strict 'obvious error' rules.

But CEO Shaun Mielekamp said: "This hurts as a double whammy."

"Not only did Roy miss out on 70 minutes against City but he now also misses an additional match.

"The MRP did what they could within the regulations they have before them and as a club we could not risk the possibility of missing Roy for an additional week if we put in an appeal for an obvious error that has such a high threshold.

"To ensure better consistency there should be parameters or avenues that protect the player and the club from being dealt a double blow."

FIFA rules stipulate any player who receives a red card is automatically suspended from their team's next match.

It is O'Donovan's second A-League ban, having sat out eight weeks for a headbutt on Wellington's Manny Muscat last January.

O'Donovan, 31, has scored eight goals in 16 appearances for the Mariners this season.

Source: AAP