21 Aug 2012

Phoenix players banned for up to four games

5:49 pm on 21 August 2012

Three Wellington Phoenix players have been received suspensions ranging from two to four games, in the wake of Saturday's ill tempered pre-season football match against Newcastle in Australia.

Manny Muscat and Ben Sigmund, who were involved in an all in brawl, have been suspended for four and three games respectively by Football Federation Australia while skipper Andrew Durante who was sent off later in the game has been banned for two games.

The suspensions are effective immediately and will be served on the side's current four-game tour of India, meaning the trio will be available for the A League season opener against Sydney FC on October 6th.

The club has also fined the players for their behaviour but coach Ricki Herbert and the players involved are refusing to make any comment.

The Newcastle player Tiago Calvano whose tackle on Muscat sparked the brawl has also been banned for four games.