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THE Central Coast Mariners could become the A-League's first club to seek a court injunction in a bid allow accused diver Patricio Perez to play in tomorrow night's match against Melbourne Victory.
The club has made a formal submission to Football Federation Australia to reverse its decision to ban Perez for two matches for simulation but with the governing body likely to reject the claim, the Mariners are preparing to pull out all stops to have the ban on their star recruit lifted.
Central to their argument will be advice from biomechanics experts who have analysed video of the incident and determined that contact from Sydney FC goalkeeper Liam Reddy was substantial enough to alter Perez's balance as he moved towards goal.
The club has also obtained a written affidavit from Perez, with the Argentine declaring his belief that he was brought down by Reddy, who was subsequently shown a red card - later rescinded by the Match Review Panel. Perez's affidavit explains that he was trying to round the goalkeeper, and it was then that contact was made.
Perth Glory are also considering whether to try to clear Michael Baird, who was handed the same suspension for an incident less than 24 hours after Perez's alleged dive. However, they appear are less likely to pursue a legal challenge.
On both occasions, the initial reaction from the referee was to award a penalty, which subsequently allowed both Central Coast and Perth to take valuable away draws from their matches against Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart respectively.
However, the panel found both players were guilty of simulation, overturning the red card handed to Reddy in the process. The Mariners have asked their legal team to look at every possible avenue for the suspension to be removed, either temporarily or completely. With an injunction against the FFA seemingly the only way Central Coast could have Perez free to play against Melbourne at Bluetongue Stadium, the Mariners would have to proceed with such action today.
Club officials declined to comment on the issue yesterday, only to say they were ''determined to explore every option''.
At the heart of the Mariners' concerns is that Perez has now been officially branded a ''diver'' by the league's governing body, without any recourse to an appeal.
The FFA last night confirmed its regulations would stand. Perez can't appeal because the panel deemed the matter worthy of the minimum ban for simulation (two matches) and wasn't required to be examined further by the disciplinary committee.
Elsewhere, Melbourne Victory midfielder Nicky Ward has made a surprise move to Wellington Phoenix on a one-year deal. And 19-year-old North Queensland striker Chris Payne has been named as the A-League's young footballer of the month after scoring two goals in the opening four matches.
SOURCE: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/mariners-could-set-legal-precedent-with-perez-diving-ban-challenge-20100901-14nov.html
THE Central Coast Mariners could become the A-League's first club to seek a court injunction in a bid allow accused diver Patricio Perez to play in tomorrow night's match against Melbourne Victory.
The club has made a formal submission to Football Federation Australia to reverse its decision to ban Perez for two matches for simulation but with the governing body likely to reject the claim, the Mariners are preparing to pull out all stops to have the ban on their star recruit lifted.
Central to their argument will be advice from biomechanics experts who have analysed video of the incident and determined that contact from Sydney FC goalkeeper Liam Reddy was substantial enough to alter Perez's balance as he moved towards goal.
The club has also obtained a written affidavit from Perez, with the Argentine declaring his belief that he was brought down by Reddy, who was subsequently shown a red card - later rescinded by the Match Review Panel. Perez's affidavit explains that he was trying to round the goalkeeper, and it was then that contact was made.
Perth Glory are also considering whether to try to clear Michael Baird, who was handed the same suspension for an incident less than 24 hours after Perez's alleged dive. However, they appear are less likely to pursue a legal challenge.
On both occasions, the initial reaction from the referee was to award a penalty, which subsequently allowed both Central Coast and Perth to take valuable away draws from their matches against Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart respectively.
However, the panel found both players were guilty of simulation, overturning the red card handed to Reddy in the process. The Mariners have asked their legal team to look at every possible avenue for the suspension to be removed, either temporarily or completely. With an injunction against the FFA seemingly the only way Central Coast could have Perez free to play against Melbourne at Bluetongue Stadium, the Mariners would have to proceed with such action today.
Club officials declined to comment on the issue yesterday, only to say they were ''determined to explore every option''.
At the heart of the Mariners' concerns is that Perez has now been officially branded a ''diver'' by the league's governing body, without any recourse to an appeal.
The FFA last night confirmed its regulations would stand. Perez can't appeal because the panel deemed the matter worthy of the minimum ban for simulation (two matches) and wasn't required to be examined further by the disciplinary committee.
Elsewhere, Melbourne Victory midfielder Nicky Ward has made a surprise move to Wellington Phoenix on a one-year deal. And 19-year-old North Queensland striker Chris Payne has been named as the A-League's young footballer of the month after scoring two goals in the opening four matches.
SOURCE: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/mariners-could-set-legal-precedent-with-perez-diving-ban-challenge-20100901-14nov.html
