Charlestown Azzurri's Regan Lundy will miss eight matches after pleading guilty to bringing the game into disrepute for a post-game altercation a month ago.
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Lundy and Broadmeadow Magic's Keanu Moore were charged over the April 10 incident and they faced a Northern NSW Football disciplinary Zoom meeting hearing on Wednesday night.
The two players and witnesses to the altercation were interviewed during the hearing by an independent three-person panel.
Moore pleaded not guilty to bringing the game into disrepute. The Broadmeadow club had not been notified of an outcome in Moore's case late on Thursday.
Lundy, who took the early guilty plea, was suspended and his club fined $500 for the incident in the street outside their home ground of Lisle Carr Oval following the round three 1-0 Northern NSW NPL loss to Broadmeadow.
Moore and Lundy had earlier clashed on the pitch, resulting in the Charlestown player being shown a straight red card in the 17th minute for violent conduct. Moore was issued a yellow card.
Lundy received a two-game suspension, one match more than the mandatory ban for a send-off, for the on-field action, meaning he will now miss about half the 18-round NNSW NPL regular season and potentially FFA Cup matches.
Charlestown secretary Roger Steel confirmed the sanctions against Lundy and the club.
"We're obviously disappointed but Regan remains an important part of the team," Steel said.
"He's staying positive and will still be training hard."
Lundy had returned from suspension to help Charlestown down second-tier Kahibah 4-2 in the FFA Cup last week.
The former Weston and Jets Youth player will start his new suspension when Azzurri clash with Lake Macquarie in round six of the NNSW NPL on Friday night at Macquarie Field.
Charlestown coach Graham Law will welcome back Dom Bizzarri from injury after he missed the goalless draw with Valentine last Sunday at Lisle Carr Oval. Aaron Oppedisano (hamstring) remains sidelined with Kane Goodchild and Riley Smith.
The point from the round-one catch-up game moved Azzurri to four, equal with Lake Macquarie, who are ahead by a goal on for and against in seventh spot.
Law expected an entertaining game as both teams chased a much-needed win.
"I think they've got a nice mix now with good experience and good youth," Law said of Lakes.
"I expect a tough game, but I said to my boys, other than the Edgeworth game, we are creating chances and if we play to these standards, we'll win games."
On Saturday, Lambton Jaffas play Newcastle Olympic at Edden Oval. On Sunday, Maitland take on Valentine at Cooks Square Park (4.30pm). Edgeworth welcome Weston to Jack McLaughlan Oval and Broadmeadow host Adamstown at Magic Park (2.30pm).
On Wednesday night in the FFA Cup, Maitland, Jaffas and Valentine progressed over lower-tier sides. Valentine beat Minmi Wanderers 3-0, Maitland downed Singleton 4-0 and Jaffas defeated Bolwarra-Lorn 13-0 with six goals from Kale Bradbery.
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