The petition
Danny Vukovic - Goal Keeper for the Central Coast Mariners and Australia's most promising up-and-coming talent in professional football - hit with a 15 month suspension - a ruling made by Football Federation Australia on Monday 25th February, 2008. This was in response to his 'striking' of referee, Mark Shield, during the last seconds of the 2007/2008 A-League Grand Final match against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday 24th February, 2008.
Danny Vukovic was seen to 'high-five' referee Mark Shield's hand. The incident occurred after the referee failed to award a penalty due to a hand ball spotted by a linesman. We do not condone any violent or aggressive behaviour toward the referees, or the officials, in any form. However, in light of similar incidences that have preceded this, the emotion of the situation and Danny previously unblemished record we call on the FFA to reconsider the ban to a lighter sentence either in line with the precedent set either by the FFA itself or internationally by FIFA.
An appeal hearing lasting 7 hours on Tuesday, March 4th 2008 reduced the ban from 15 to 12 months, 3 of which are to be served as probation. The failure of the FFA to reduce the ban will mean that not only will Danny miss nine months of Football, but his Olympic dreams have also been shattered as the FFA will ask FIFA to make the ban international.
Football fans from across Australia are appalled by the conduct of the FFA in their willingness to allow Danny Vukovic to be treated as a scapegoat or example when others have been provided previously. Fans from all A-league teams believe that what this incident shines the light on most, is the poor quality of refereeing that not only the Grand Final received, but also the entire past season.
As a result of Danny’s appeal hearing we are continuing in our support of Danny by making the petition ongoing and calling on the Football Federation of Australia to reconsider their punishment of Danny Vukovic.
We, the undersigned fans of good football and fair judgements by Football Federation Australia, hereby show our support for Danny Vukovic and call for the ruling made against him to be reconsidered in favour of a either a much lighter sentence or one which is inline with that handed down to Joel Griffiths.
By continuing with this ridiculous punishment the FFA are risking pushing fans, as well as top quality players away from the A-League.
Feel free to leave comments however please use appropriate language as otherwise we shall be forced to remove them. The FFA and the Central Coast Mariners would benefit from viewing your thoughts and comments.
All signatures go into the draw to win a weekend for two at the Mantra Kooindah Waters Resort on the Central Coast. The prize will be drawn on the Saturday following the hearing and winners name will be published on this webpage after confirmation from the email address registered for the respective signature number drawn.
Save Danny T-Shirts are available with all profits going to the Granville Football Club’s
Demian Brancati Benefit Night. Save Danny T-Shirts can be purchased on the link below to ebay or a very limited number are available at Iguana's Waterfront Bar Gosford.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBay...
THE SAVEDANNY.COM.AU campaign received further exposure tonight on the National Football Show Total Football on Fox Sports when a SAVEDANNY.COM.AU T-Shirt was presented to the Head of Football Federation Australia's CEO, Mr Ben Buckley.
Mr Buckley was a true good Australian sport when receiving the gift from Andy Harper on behalf of Danny's fans.
see link; http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=...
All signature numbers will be entered into a draw to win a weekend for two at MANTRA KOOINDAH WATERS GOLF & SPA RESORT ON THE CENTRAL COAST.
http://www.mantraresorts.com.a...
Congratulations to Jeff Damayo who was the winner of our draw to win a weekend for two at MANTRA KOOINDAH WATERS GOLF & SPA RESORT ON THE CENTRAL COAST.
Thankyou to everyone who has signed the petition in support of Danny.
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APPEAL UPDATE
Following Danny's recent appeal his suspension has been reduced with a window opened for him to compete in the upcoming Beijing Olympics
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