North Queensland Fury’s Grossman and Akoto suspended

North Queensland Fury players Chris Grossman and Eric Akoto have both been suspended by the independent Match Review Panel.

Grossman was ejected from Sunday’s 2-2 draw with the Melbourne Victory in the 29th minute for ‘denying the opposing team a clear goal-scoring opportunity’ and will undergo the mandatory one-match ban which is the minimum offence.

Togolese defender Akoto was issued with a red card in the 81st minute for his ‘assault on a Player (e.g. violent conduct when not challenging for the ball)’ and as a consequence will receive a two-match suspension.

It is believed the Fury are investigating Akoto’s sanction as it came after insults thrown at him by opposing players and they believe his actions were out of character and that he was provoked into pushing Victory skipper Kevin Muscat.