NPL: Bailey Wells ban for ref contact suspended on appeal

Magic had their appeal of the "unsporting conduct" suspension heard on Tuesday night but did not receive a judgement until Friday.

While the Northern NSW Football Independent Disciplinary Committee did not fully exonerate Wells, they revised the penalty to a suspended five-game ban for the rest of 2024. It means Wells will not serve the full suspension unless he commits another match official abuse offence this season.

Wells was sent off late in the 2-0 NPL NNSW men's loss to Charlestown at Lisle Carr Oval in round nine two weeks ago when he ran into the back of the referee with both hands.

At the appeal, Broadmeadow questioned the referee's interpretation of the contact being a deliberate act.

Wells told the Newcastle Herald the contact was accidental and he put his hands up to brace for impact after running into the referee while trying to change direction and press the ball coming out of the Azzurri defence.

The Independent Disciplinary Committee said in its ruling that: "On the balance of probabilities, the committee believed it was more likely the player had inadvertently made contact with the match official, rather than deliberately pushing the match official with malicious intent.

"That said, even though the committee was largely satisfied the player did not intentionally push the match official, the committee could not be satisfied that the contact with the match official was marginal enough to dismiss the charges completely, which is why the sanction was suspended."

The unsporting conduct charge is the lowest breach and penalty for offences against match official, under NNSWF regulations.

The appeal win means the suspended three-point deduction given to Broadmeadow's top-grade side under new zero tolerance regulations was annulled. The $500 fine given to the club was also wiped.

Wells, who trialled with Brisbane Roar last month, served one game of the suspension when Magic defeated Valentine 4-2 last weekend, but coach Jim Cresnar said the livewire would return to the side on Friday night at Magic Park.

Meanwhile, fourth-placed Valentine face a stern test of their set-piece defence when they look to rebound against third-placed Charlestown on Sunday (2.30pm).

Magic scored three of their four goals against Phoenix at corners last week, although Valentine had cries for handball or offside at two of them.

Coach Adam Hughes said defence had been a focus in preparing for Charlestown, who are perhaps the most dangerous team in the league at set pieces.

"The defensive set pieces, up until now we've been fairly good with, but the last couple of weeks we haven't been satisfied," Hughes said. "Charlestown have some big boys and they thrive off the set pieces, so that's something we've obviously identified and we need to be well prepared for those moments."

Also on Sunday from 2.30pm, the Bears welcome Cooks Hills to Weston Park. On Saturday, Edgeworth will chase a fifth consecutive win when they host Maitland at Jack McLaughlan Oval, leaders Lambton Jaffas defend their perfect record when Adamstown come to Edden Oval (both 2.30pm) and Lake Macquarie host Newcastle Olympic at Macquarie Field (4pm).