Melbourne Victory captain Mark Milligan is set for an extended stint on the sidelines after receiving a three-match suspension for last Saturday night’s flying elbow on Sydney midfielder Terry Antonis.
Milligan won’t see action again until February and will miss this weekend’s derby against Melbourne City and the clash against Newcastle on December 27th before joining the Socceroos’ Asian Cup campaign on home soil in January. The 29-year-old will then also miss out on the third and final Melbourne derby of the season on February 7 at Etihad Stadium when A-League action resumes following a two and a half week break.
“The MRP determined that the Player committed the offence of R1 — Serious Foul Play against Terry Antonis and proposed a sanction of three (3) matches, being the Mandatory Match Suspension plus two (2) additional matches,’’ Football Federation Australia said in a statement.
“In reviewing the incident during this afternoon’s meeting, the MRP took into consideration the submissions lodged by Melbourne Victory.”
Sydney boss Graham Arnold said Antonis required 10 stitches after the 3-3 draw.
The match review panel didn’t share Victory coach Kevin Muscat’s opinion that Milligan had made a play only for the ball.
“From where I was, they’re running towards each other, Milligan’s obviously got his eyes are on the ball because he’s ended up heading it,” Muscat said after the match.
Victory officials are still undecided as to whether the club will appeal the suspension.
Wellington’s Manny Muscat has also received a two-game ban for stomping on Glen Trifiro’s calf in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Central Coast.
Check out the Milligan incident in the below video.
Photo: Ashley Feder/Getty Images.
