June 10, 2008

Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic's hopes of playing at the Olympic Games have been shattered after football's world governing body FIFA ruled his tailor-made ban for hitting a referee would not apply internationally.

FIFA ruled Vukovic would not be eligible to play in the Beijing Olympics, overturning an Australian ruling that he could serve his suspension in two parts bookending the Games.

While the split ban will continue to apply domestically, Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirmed FIFA had stepped in to ensure it would not apply internationally.

"Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirms that it has received advice from FIFA today that Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper, Danny Vukovic, is not eligible to play in international competition with effect from 25 February 2008 to 25 January 2009. The effect of FIFA's decision is to rule him out of the Beijing Olympic Games," the FFA said in a statement.

Vukovic was suspended after being sent off for striking referee Mark Shield on the arm at the end of the A-League grand final against Newcastle in February.

He successfully appealed his original nine-month suspension which ruled him out of the Games, with an independent appeals committee instead imposing a split ban which was to be served before and after the Olympics.

But FIFA said interrupting the suspension at international level would be "contrary to the spirit of FIFA regulations".

"FIFA's decision noted that it has the responsibility for determining suspensions to apply to international competitions.

"It has a duty to prevent players who have committed a serious infringement and who are suspended from playing in domestic competition from competing in international competition."

If Vukovic wants to fight the ban, he will have to do so on his own after the FFA confirmed it would not appeal FIFA's decision.

Mariners chairman Lyall Gorman said the club's legal team would examine Vukovic's grounds for appeal.

"We have got it in the hands of the legal team and they'll have a look at it tonight," Gorman said.

"We're in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment but we'll know more tomorrow."

Asked what Vukovic's response to the news was, Gorman said: "His response was no different to (when he received the original ban). He was devastated."

Vukovic was the Olyroos' No.1 goalkeeper and his loss leaves a huge hole for Olyroos coach Graham Arnold to plug ahead of the Games.

But Vukovic will now be able to play at all levels of the game from October 6 this year, with a suspended sentence applying from then until January 25 next year both domestically and internationally.

Not good for the olyroos and a pretty disappointing time for Vukovic.
The incident wasnt even that bad from what i saw of it.

July 07, 2008

CENTRAL Coast Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic's Olympic dream is officially over.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has backed world football governing body FIFA's decision to ban Vukovic from international fixtures until October 5th.

The ban, imposed on Vukovic for striking a referee, ends his hopes of competing with the Olyroos in Beijing.

Mariners boss Lyall Gorman said the club is disappointed with the CAS's finding.

"Our club ... has exhausted every possible avenue of appeal in order to give Danny the best possible chance of fulfilling his Olympic Games ambition and unfortunately this has not resulted in the desired outcome," he said.

"As we have maintained from day one, we do not condone in any fashion any player making contact with a match official and while we feel that the sanction for this unfortunate incident far exceeds the crime, it is now time to accept the umpire's decision and that of FIFA and the CAS and move on.

"Now, we as a club and Danny as an individual must move on as we look past the 2008 Olympic Games and to the A-League 2008/09 season and beyond."

Vukovic is eligible to play for the Mariners in domestic competition until August 29th, at which point he will commence a five-match A-League suspension until October 5th.