SYDNEY - Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has had his suspension for manhandling referee Mark Shield in the Hyundai A-League grand final reduced to 12 months.
After a marathon seven-hour meeting on Tuesday night, a Football Federation Australia disciplinary committee cut the keeper's ban from 15 months to 12, of which nine will be served and the three remaining three months suspended on a probationary basis.
Vukovic will not be eligible to play again until November 24, 2008.
With FIFA likely to ratify the suspension, the Mariners stopper will be ruled out of the Beijing Olympics.
Central Coast has seven days in which to enter another appeal process.
"Obviously Danny is incredibly disappointed. He is quite shattered," Central Coast chairman Lyall Gorman said after the hearing.
"We never condoned what Danny did in the grand final but we will stand by him. We put up the best defence we could. It focused on Danny as a person and his contribution to the game.
"We've got to live with it and move forward. He's never denied his guilt from day one. He's shown contrition and remorse ever since."
He added: "If any of you were asked to miss an Olympic Games you'd find it difficult and Danny is no different - he's human."
The hearing lasted until midnight, with Vukovic calling three character witnesses, including NSW Australian Labor Party powerbroker and Central Coast MP John Della Bosca.
Gorman, former Australian youth coach Ange Postecoglou and Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna also spoke on the goalkeeper's behalf.
With the Vukovic case running longer than expected, the FFA postponed its case against Central Coast striker Sasho Petrovski, who is accused of using an abusive gesture against a match official during the grand final.
