Wanderers skipper Marcelo handed two-game suspension

Western Sydney captain Marcelo will play with a suspended ban hanging over his head after escaping a prolonged punishment for putting Adelaide teenager Nestory Irankunda in a headlock.

The Brazilian defender might be free to line up for the Wanderers towards Wellington Phoenix in A-League Males subsequent week after Soccer Australia hit him with a backdated two-game ban.

Marcelo was dismissed in final month’s heated 3-2 loss to the Reds after Irankunda sparked a fracas by shoving Wanderers midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof.

The incident was mocked by Adelaide gamers on social media, who gained floor on the Wanderers with the win.

Marcelo, 35, was initially charged with “assault on a participant” by FA however had his cost downgraded.

It is going to be a lift for Wanderers boss Marko Rudan to have his captain again on deck for his or her finals tilt after passionately backing his skipper’s choice to face up for Nieuwenhof.

Marcelo’s suspension has been backdated to incorporate final week’s A-League Males assembly with Macarthur, which means he’ll solely miss Saturday’s recreation with Melbourne Victory earlier than returning to the fold.

The Wanderers skipper must tread rigorously, nevertheless, with a suspended two-game ban set to be triggered if he’s despatched off between now and the tip of 2023.

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