Football: Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Rylee Foster handed one-match suspension for controversial red card

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Rylee Foster has been handed a one-match ban after her red card in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Canberra United.  

Foster, 25, was controversially shown red in the second half of the Phoenix's victory for an off-the-ball incident with Canberra's Sofia Christopherson.  

However, replays showed minimal contact between the two players, as Christopherson clearly sought an advantage by making the most of Foster's slight indiscretion.   

The A-League's independent match review panel deemed the incident met the threshold for "serious unsporting conduct" and brought with it a minimum suspension of one match.

But while the Phoenix admit their reluctance in accepting the decision, director of football Shaun Gill has called for a change in how incidents such as Foster's are policed.   

"It's clear the match review panel need to have the powers to downgrade a red card in cases like this," he said.  

"Under the current disciplinary regulatory framework, a one match suspension is the best we could have hoped for.  

"The match review panel reduced the offence code to ensure Rylee only served a one match ban rather than the mandatory two matches for off-the-ball red card offences."  

Foster will now sit out of next weekend's clash away to Newcastle Jets on Sunday evening. Brianna Edwards will likely deputise for Foster in goal.  

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Rylee Foster has been handed a one-match ban after her red card in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Canberra United.  

Foster, 25, was controversially shown red in the second half of the Phoenix's victory for an off-the-ball incident with Canberra's Sofia Christopherson.  

However, replays showed minimal contact between the two players, as Christopherson clearly sought an advantage by making the most of Foster's slight indiscretion.   

The A-League's independent match review panel deemed the incident met the threshold for "serious unsporting conduct" and brought with it a minimum suspension of one match.

But while the Phoenix admit their reluctance in accepting the decision, director of football Shaun Gill has called for a change in how incidents such as Foster's are policed.   

"It's clear the match review panel need to have the powers to downgrade a red card in cases like this," he said.  

"Under the current disciplinary regulatory framework, a one match suspension is the best we could have hoped for.  

"The match review panel reduced the offence code to ensure Rylee only served a one match ban rather than the mandatory two matches for off-the-ball red card offences."  

Foster will now sit out of next weekend's clash away to Newcastle Jets on Sunday evening. Brianna Edwards will likely deputise for Foster in goal.  

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