SYDNEY - Central Coast Mariners will appeal Danny Vukovic's 15-month suspension for making contact with referee Mark Shield and are hopeful of getting the ban substantially reduced.
Mariners chairman Lyall Gorman said both club and player had been rocked by the severity of the ban, of which six months are suspended on a probationary basis for a year, and that they had met with legal counsel on Tuesday morning to consider their options.
Vukovic has already offered both a verbal and written apology for his actions to Shield, who red carded him in the final tumultuous minutes of Sunday's A-League grand final, which was won 1-0 by the Newcastle Jets.
"We can say that Danny deeply regrets his actions, however he is disappointed, as is the club, with the severity of the sanction for such a young player facing his first serious charge," Gorman said.
"The club stands by Danny at this time and regards him as an outstanding individual and member of the team. We will be lodging an appeal against the FFA's decision and we hope to have that matter determined at a hearing as soon as possible, hopefully early next week.
"The club and Danny does not seek to excuse his actions, but are hopeful that through the appeal process the penalty can be reduced," he said.
Gorman said the 22-year-old was distraught about the ruling which is likely to see him miss August's Olympic Games.
"He's anxious and full of remorse," Gorman said.
"He regrets the incident. He sincerely regrets the incident. He's apologised both in writing and verbally to the referee and I think you know his character well enough to know it is out of character, we hope to establish that."
While the club is confident of getting the initial ban reduced, Gorman said the club would not be making any more comment until after the appeal hearing which is likely to be early next week.
Gorman confirmed that there was likely to be no internal punishment for Vukovic.
