Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced it has imposed sanctions on Nathaniel Atkinson, Riley McGree, Lachlan Wales and Brandon Wilson for breaches of clauses 2.1 and 6.1 of the FFA National Code of Conduct (the Code of Conduct).

The sanction imposed on Atkinson, Wales and Wilson is as follows:

Ineligibility to participate in national team duty until 10 August 2020; and Participation in education courses and counselling as directed by FFA.

The sanction imposed on McGree is as follows:

Ineligibility to participate in national team duty until 1 April 2020; and Participation in education courses and counselling as directed by FFA.

The sanction follows a finding that the Players have engaged in conduct in breach of the Code of Conduct during the AFC U-23 Championship qualifying tournament in Cambodia in March this year.

Specifically, the FFA Board found that the players engaged in unprofessional conduct.

The matter came to the attention of FFA in April 2019 following a complaint by a woman. FFA initiated an independent investigation shortly after the complaint was received and due to its complexity, the investigation took months to complete.

The FFA Board considered the findings of the investigation in early October 2019 and subsequently determined to initiate its Code of Conduct process, which involved providing each Player with the opportunity to make submissions to FFA on the alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct.

FFA considered those submissions, including submissions made by Professional Footballers Australia, in reaching its determination which was communicated to the Players today.

Speaking on behalf of the FFA Board following the determination, FFA Chairman Chris Nikou said: “These sanctions are commensurate to the nature of the breaches of the National Code of Conduct which is in place to safeguard both the players and the reputation of Australian football.

“Upholding our commitment to respect and responsibility cannot be compromised. Our game is built on equality, inclusivity and respect and these are values that we will continue to uphold.

"The players have understood the gravity of their actions and have positively commenced respectful relationship programs that will ensure they appreciate these values in the future.”

The Players were due to travel to China on 9 November as members of the national Under 23 squad for matches in preparation for the AFC U-23 Championship to be held in January next year. As a result of the pending sanction, the Players did not depart with the squad.

Each Player can appeal FFA’s determination in respect of their sanction to the independent FFA Disciplinary and Ethics Committee if he chooses to do so. A subsequent appeal may also be made to the Independent FFA Appeals Committee.

Well I trust the punishment fits the crime. No idea what's exactly happened here but also glad there's no immunity from such things.

On the playing front we have such a large crop of players for the Olyroos. With these 4 missing comes an opportunity for another 4.

And when the AFC u20 tournament is on in January,  these 4 players shpuld be banned from A-league/Y-league competitions for the duration that the Olyroos participate in the tournament .
Basically from the R13 or R14 to possibly the 26th January 2020.  

Why? They’ve been punished enough. Leave them alone. They’re young, let them play football. 

It is advantage that their clubs would not otherwise accrue. They shouldn't have played last round imo.

Nah!  They have to get a penalty and a red card. ;)

I think this is a good decision from the officials to ban these kinds of players. Because of the rules were made then it is for everyone and here edusson review provide great data to manage quality task easily and everyone should have to follow it. And they are doing a night out during the days of matches.

Spammer drew a long bow there

Bots are getting scarily close to sentient these days.