Sydney FC defender gets 8-game suspension

Sydney FC defender Tiago Calvano has been suspended for eight A-League games for making contact with a referee.

The Brazilian was charged with ''unsporting conduct towards a match official'' over an incident involving referee Peter Green in the team's fifth-round win over Melbourne Victory.

On Thursday, the Football Federation Australia disciplinary committee announced the ban and said if Calvano receives a direct red card for any other offense during the current A-League season he will receive a further ban of four matches.