Capital Football has slapped a whopping 12-month suspension on a prominent National Premier League coach following the recent finals series.
The Canberra Times understands the suspension cited that a form of referee abuse - allegedly spitting toward the official - was involved late in a match a fortnight ago, and referees also gave a red card to the coach for a technical area infringement. The referee abuse aspect is what has attracted the hefty ban.
The year-long suspension which forbids the NPL coach from participating in any Capital Football activities is the most severe sanction against a Canberra coach or player in years.
The club impacted has lodged an appeal over the suspension and are awaiting a tribunal date from Capital Football to have their defence heard.
While Capital Football does not publicly publish suspension decisions, reports of the lengthy coach ban was leaked on social media this week, sending shockwaves around the soccer community.
The timing of the suspension also comes during a pivotal time for NPL clubs as they commence their off-season planning for 2027.
"Capital Football takes matters relating to behaviour towards referees, club officials and other members of the football community seriously," Capital Football chief executive officer Samantha Farrow told The Canberra Times.
"We have recently released our Behaviour Standards, which set clear expectations for behaviour across our game.
"Clubs, players, coaches, officials and spectators should be in no doubt that we expect those standards to be upheld and will take appropriate action where they are not.
"The matter is currently progressing through Capital Football's disciplinary processes. As that process has not concluded, Capital Football will not be making any further comment at this time."
The Canberra Times has spoken to the coach who was issued the ban, but has chosen not to name him at this stage after he said his children had been harassed when his name was published on a social media platform. He was also seeking legal advice in regards to Capital Football's disciplinary process.
A club spokesperson said it was hoped the tribunal would "hear all sides" in its review of the suspension at the tribunal.
The peak soccer body in the Canberra region last month launched a strong statement titled, "Passion is no excuse for abuse", which was sent to all clubs and published online.
The statement called out an alarming increase of abuse directed at officials during and after soccer matches, and revealed a five-point plan formulated with the help of referees in an effort to tackle the issue.
The governing body also floated the prospect of naming and shaming yellow and red card offenders via Capital Football's website in a bid to curb abuse, promote greater transparency and improve overall behaviour.
The targeted crackdown came in the aftermath of earlier incidents where player and coach behaviour came under greater scrutiny.
Another NPL coach was suspended for 12 weeks from all Capital Football related activities after an offensive and derogatory social media post became "the subject of an investigation under the regulations and code of conduct". That appeal process is still ongoing.
There was also an incident of referee dissent in the NPL men's competition in round 19, with a player red-carded and given a one-week suspension for their on-field actions.
Capital Football followed its five-point plan with the release in late August of a new set of Behaviour Standards, which aims "to strengthen a culture of respect, inclusion and accountability across football in the Canberra region".
The latest 12-month suspension appears to send a further message to the Canberra soccer community.
