Melbourne Victory prepared to take gamble by challenging Muscat ban

Melbourne Victory football operations manager Gary Cole admits the club is taking a gamble by trying to reduce the two-match ban handed to club captain Kevin Muscat.

Muscat was deemed to have committed ‘serious foul play’ against Jason Culina in the Victory’s 1-0 loss to Gold Coast United on Friday night but the reigning champions will appeal the two-game ban which Cole believes is a risk.

"It is a risk but if you look at it that way then you are operating in fear," Cole said of the decision to challenge Muscat's ban.

"And that is not something that Kevin Muscat does and it's not something that Melbourne Victory does.

“We believe it wasn't a red card offence in the first place," Cole added.

Cole says the fact it is a fresh hearing may play in the Victory’s favour and added that Muscat’s leadership shown in a very physical encounter is what is required in the A-League.

“ It is a new hearing so the disciplinary committee are not reviewing the match review panel's decision," Cole said.

"They are actually making the decision based on the evidence the match review panel had and any new evidence we wish to introduce.

"I think we would be disappointed if our captain didn’t step up to the plate, it was a spiteful game (against Gold Coast) and he (Muscat) is a fantastic leader on and off the field," Cole added further.

"And if you are going to be a successful club then you have to be prepared to get involved (in physical clashes) because this is the business end of the season and people are playing for real."