Summary of Disciplinary Committee Decision re: Joe Gaughan
Capital Football would like to update clubs re. the incident from the Capital Premier match between Stop Out and Lower Hutt AFC on Saturday, August 9th 2014.
The incident was brought to Capital Football’s attention via the referee’s report on Monday, August 11th and after following standard procedure Capital Football then imposed an 11-month suspension from all football-related activity on Joe Gaughan.
As is their right Stop Out appealed and this was heard on Wednesday 27 August by an appointed independent panel being the Capital Football Disciplinary Committee (CFDC) comprising of Martin Snedden (Chair), Brian Klee and David Meiklejohn.
After considering all of the material, the CFDC made the following observations:
- The match was played in a tense and volatile atmosphere with some "over the top" physicality;
- Mr Gaughan inflicted a serious physical attack on a Lower Hutt player.
- Once ordered from the field, Mr Gaughan delivered a two-fingered salute at the referee;
- While leaving the field of play, Mr Gaughan involved himself in an altercation with players on the Lower Hutt bench and acting with enough aggression to be restrained by Stop Out officials.
- The misconducts, as viewed by the CFDC, ranged from medium to the extreme end of seriousness.
The Committee acknowledged Mr Gaughan for his timely apology and expression of remorse for the incident.
The CFDC pointed out that Capital Football have continuously reminded clubs to demonstrate appropriate behaviour, both from players and spectators, through various channels from the start of the 2014 season as there is no place in football for behaviour such as this to exist.
The CFDC came to a decision that the 11 month suspension initially proscribed by Capital Football will stand.
Stop Out has a right of appeal to NZ Football.
Yours