Soccer: Club fines Phoenix trio

Ben Sigmund. Photo / Getty Images

The Wellington Phoenix have slapped sanctions on the three players sent off in a pre-season match against the Newcastle Jets in the weekend which included an all-in brawl.

Manny Muscat and Ben Sigmund were red carded, along with Jets defender Tiago, after a first half fracas. Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante was also ordered off the field following a second half incident.

Football Federation Australia was set to review the footage yesterday before making a decision on any possible punishments.

Phoenix general manager David Dome said that the club has taken the incidents very seriously.

"Notwithstanding the play that led to the incidents, the club in no way condones any kind of retribution or fighting in a match. It is totally unacceptable and we have taken action immediately following the match."

Muscat, Sigmund and Durante have all been fined by the club and depending on sanctions handed out by the FFA will be stood down for some of the upcoming games on the pre-season tour of India.

Coach Ricki Hebert has also been very strong in his condemnation of the events. Dome says that Herbert has taken a strong line with the players.

"The day after the match Herbert addressed the entire squad and expressed his displeasure. He was unequivocal that incidents of this type will not be accepted by any player regardless of their seniority in the team" Dome says.

Herbert has also spoken individually to the three players involved.

The brawl occurred in the 25th minute after Muscat took exception to a hard tackle by Tiago, striking at the Brazilian as both players lay on the ground.

That sparked an all-in brawl which saw Sigmund earn a red card after running in and hitting Jets player Jobe Wheelhouse in the back with his forearm.

Rookie referee Tim McGilchrist, who the Newcastle Herald reports took five minutes to restore order, sent the two instigators Tiago and Muscat from the field, along with Sigmund.

Durante was later red-carded in the second half after he lashed out at Jets midfielder James Brown, leaving the Phoenix with eight men for the final 27 minutes.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond told the Newcastle Herald, he believed the penalties for the red cards should be sufficient.

"I would hope there is no repercussions," he said.

"You obviously don't condone it. You have to think about the fact that the players are in their prep for the A-League season and they need games. That is the most important thing for them to get these games.

"It would be really difficult if we had many boys not available because they get sanctioned for whatever period."

The Phoenix left for India on Sunday to take part in a four-team tournament in the sub-continent before returning to New Zealand to continue their pre-season campaign.

Wellington kick-off the A-League season proper when they host Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium on October 6.

- HERALD ONLINE