ALW players receive bans over Perth fracas

Anna Harrington and Michael Ramsey | January 16, 2023

Perth Glory veteran Ella Mastrantonio and Wellington’s New Zealand international Emma Rolston have been banned for three and two A-League Women matches respectively for their in-game scuffle.

Both players were sent off in the 35th minute of Sunday’s game at Macedonia Park, which Perth won 2-0.

A prone Rolston was repeatedly hacked in the legs by Mastrantonio while retaining the ball after being brought down in a challenge.

Rolston sprung to her feet and responded with a shove to the throat of Mastrantonio, who raised her arms in disbelief after both players were sent off.

Mastrantonio appeared to have little cause for complaint given she had also dragged her opponent by the hair during the fracas.

The independent match review panel determined that both Mastrantonio and Rolston had committed the offence of “assault on a player … or against any other person other than a match official, including attempted assault”. 

Two matches is the minimum sanction for that offence, with the MRP slapping Mastrantonio with an extra week’s suspension.

Capped Matilda Mastrantonio will miss Perth’s clash with ALW leaders Western United along with games against Newcastle and Brisbane.

Rolston, who is in New Zealand’s squad for two upcoming friendlies against the United States, is due to miss matches against Canberra and Brisbane.

Mastrantonio and Rolston have until 2pm AEDT on Tuesday to decide whether to appeal their sanctions.