Defending Northern NSW NPL champions Broadmeadow have handed coach Ruben Zadkovich a one-match suspension over a post-game physical altercation with an opposition player two weeks ago.
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Magic president Steve Foteff said this week the club had conducted an internal disciplinary action and that Zadkovich "would not be at the game on the weekend". Third-placed Magic (28 points) play Valentine (8) at CB Complex on Sunday.
Foteff, Zadkovich's father-in-law, would not go into further detail about the sanction or discuss the incident but said the coach would not miss further games.
The suspension comes after an incident following Broadmeadow's 2-2 draw with Maitland at Cooks Square Park on July 7.
The Herald has been told Maitland back-up goalkeeper Alex Bozinovski, a former Magic player, refused to shake the hand of Zadkovich before the game. A second refusal after the match sparked a brief physical altercation in the caged players' race as the teams left the field.
Zadkovich offered no comment on Friday.
Maitland told Northern NSW Football of the incident the following day when seeking clarification of the judicial process. NNSWF chief David Eland said earlier this week that Maitland had not filed an official complaint.
However, the Herald understands representatives from the Maitland and Broadmeadow clubs have been in discussions since the incident about appropriate in-house sanctions.
Despite Broadmeadow's penalty on Zadkovich, the Herald understands Maitland had not ruled out lodging a grievance with NNSWF on behalf of Bozinovski late on Friday.
Elsewhere in round 18, leaders Edgeworth (32 points) take on in-form Maitland at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday from 3.30pm in a match that could have a huge bearing on the premiership.
Fourth-placed Maitland have won five of their past six games in an unbeaten run to sit five points behind Edgeworth, who have played three matches more than the Magpies.
Maitland skipper Carl Thornton will miss the match because of work commitments.
Also Saturday, Hamilton Olympic (15) play the Newcastle Jets Youth (20) at Darling Street Oval from 5pm.
On Sunday, Adamstown (6) host Lake Macquarie (5) in an early battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
And second-placed Weston (29) welcome a sixth-placed Lambton Jaffas (24) side reeling from the loss of Andrew Pawiak and James Pendrigh to serious foot injuries.
** In round 18 of the Herald Women's Premier League on Sunday, New Lambton (47 points) can wrap up the premiership against Wallsend (29) at Edden Oval.
South Wallsend (34) play Warners Bay (37) at Walker Fields, Merewether (31) meet Adamstown (7) at Myamblah Oval and Thornton (6) host Mid North Coast (6).