Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat will likely end his career under suspension in Australian football's A-League after being banned for eight weeks for a dangerous tackle.
Muscat was banned for a tackle on the Melbourne Heart's Adrian Zahra during a heated derby last weekend. Zahra, 20, sustained serious leg injuries in the incident.
With three matches remaining in the regular season, the ban means the 37-year-old Muscat will not be able to play again even if the Victory reach the league's grand final.
He will be available for Melbourne's matches in the Asian Champions League because the domestic suspension does not apply to international competition.
In a statement read to the Football Federation Australia disciplinary hearing, Muscat said he ''deeply regretted'' the tackle and did not intend to injure Zahra.
The committee found that Muscat was ''acting with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent'' saying that ''so far as reckless conduct is concerned this was at the higher range of culpability.''
Muscat has been sanctioned for dangerous tackles in the past, including during his 10-year stint at British clubs including Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Millwall, and Rangers. Charlton Athletic player Matty Holmes took legal action against Muscat after undergoing repeated surgery on his leg for injuries inflicted in a tackle by the Australian defender during a 1998 FA Cup match.
