Blues chasing former boss Mourinho

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Welcome home Jose? ... Chelsea are interested in bringing Mourinho back. Source:AAP

Rafael Benitez may have dropped hints he wants to extend his tenure as Chelsea boss beyond this season but it seems the struggling Blues have already set their sights on his replacement.

England's Daily Mail is reporting the club have contacted former manager Jose Mourinho, with a view to bringing him back to Stamford Bridge in the English off-season.

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The newspaper says that talks have only just begun, but billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich would back a swoop for the self-appointed 'Special One'.

Mourinho has endured a testing season at the helm of Real Madrid, whose shock loss to Granada on the weekend saw them fall 15 points behind great rivals Barcelona in La Liga.

Things aren't much better for European champions Chelsea and interim boss Benitez.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	25	20	2	3	29	62
2	Man City	25	15	8	2	26	53
3	Chelsea	25	13	7	5	24	46
4	Tottenham	25	13	6	6	13	45
5	Everton	25	10	12	3	10	42
6	Arsenal	25	11	8	6	20	41
7	Liverpool	25	9	9	7	12	36
8	Swansea	25	8	10	7	6	34
9	West Brom	25	10	4	11	-1	34
10	Stoke	25	6	12	7	-6	30
11	West Ham	25	8	6	11	-8	30
12	Sunderland	25	7	8	10	-5	29
13	Fulham	25	7	7	11	-6	28
14	Norwich	25	6	10	9	-15	28
15	Newcastle	25	7	6	12	-11	27
16	Southampton	25	5	9	11	-11	24
17	Reading	25	5	8	12	-14	23
18	Wigan	25	5	6	14	-18	21
19	Aston Villa	25	4	9	12	-26	21
20	QPR	25	2	11	12	-19	17

A 3-2 loss to Newcastle United on the weekend saw them fall 16 points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Already bundled out of the Champions League, the Blues were last month sent packing from the Capital One Cup by Swansea, and only a late Fernando Torres leveller against Brentford in the FA Cup spared Benitez's side further embarrassment.

Now it appears Abramovich is ready to entice Mourinho - the man he sacked in 2007 - back in a bid to get the most out of his star-studded squad.

Mourinho enjoyed tremendous success in his three years at Chelsea, delivering two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups to Blues fans.

Chelsea's defence – a major weakness this campaign- was rock-solid during his reign and conceded a stingy 15 goals in the 2004-2005 season while they never lost an EPL home match with the Portuguese boss in charge.

If the two-time Champions League winner leaves the Bernabau, Chelsea won't be the only club vying for his highly-prized signature.

Mourinho is reportedly interested in the project at Qatari-backed Paris-Saint Germain while the Portuguese manager has never hid his desire to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

As it happened: Allan Border Medal

The best ... Michael Clarke took home the AB Medal for the fourth time. Source: Fox Sports

Michael Clarke took home his fourth Allan Border Medal in Melbourne on Monday night.

Australia's captain got quite emotional after receiving the most prestigious award in Australian cricket, while he also took out the Test player of the year gong.

It was a colourful night all round at Crown Casino, and foxsports.com.au was there for all of it, bringing our users interactive coverage of the AB Medal.

We were lucky enough to be joined by former Aussie ODI bowler and general funny guy Brett Geeves, who brought his unique insights to the proceedings despite nearly running out of Cornettos halfway through the ceremony.

Read on to check out how the night panned out, and how the world reacted via social media, and have your say by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

For all the best pics from the glitz and glamour of the red carpet, check out our red carpet gallery here.

[View the story "Allan Border Medal Live Blog" on Storify]

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussie denies Armstrong bribe

Phil Anderson ... denies seeing Armstrong offer bribes to teammates. Source: Aaron Francis / News Limited

Australian cycling legend Phil Anderson has denied witnessing Lance Armstrong offer a bribe to help fix a race.

Two other former cyclists have alleged Armstrong offered inducements to rival competitors during a lucrative 1993 race series in the United States.

Armstrong scored a $1 million bonus by winning three successive races in the series.

New Zealander Stephen Swart gave evidence in a court case seven years ago that Armstrong offered his team $50,000 to not ride aggressively in the second race.

The ABC's Four Corners program asked Anderson if he was in the room when Armstrong made the offer to Swart's Coors Light team.

At the time, Anderson and Armstrong were riding together on the Motorola team.

"I don't recall being in that meeting," Anderson told the program. "I mean nah, it's ... $50,000, substantial amount, I'd remember that you know."

When contacted by AAP, Anderson strenuously denied witnessing the offer.

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"I have thought long and hard about it and I cannot remember it at all," Anderson said.

American Frankie Andreu also alleged that Armstrong offered money to two rival Italian riders during the third race.
Andreu said he saw Armstrong give the two Italians "a shoe box filled with money" after the race.

Anderson also said he did not recall Armstrong trying to bribe rivals during the third race.

Up until now, Armstrong's downfall has focussed on his doping and bullying of people who tried to expose him for using banned methods.

Australian anti-doping scientist Mike Ashenden again savaged Armstrong in the same program, calling him a professional and pathological liar.

Ashenden has insisted Armstrong doped during his 2009-11 competition comeback, something the disgraced cyclist strenuously denied during last month's Oprah Winfrey interview.

"He's a professional liar, for 15 years? - I don't think anyone should even blink at the prospect of maybe he told one more fib," Ashenden said.

He also disputed Armstrong's denial about making a payment to cycling's world governing body the UCI to cover up a positive test during the 2001 Tour of Switzerland.

"Armstrong would have us believe, even today, that he gave that money to improve the fight against doping," Ashenden said.

"I mean he's a doper, giving money to improve the system to try and catch himself, that's like a robber giving money to a bank to improve their security system.

"When you have a pathological liar telling you a story as farcical as that, you can be pretty sure there's something he's trying to hide."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brilliant Proteas rout Pakistan

Deadly quick ... Dale Steyn took 11-60 as South Africa hammered Pakistan. Source: AP

There were landmarks for AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn as South Africa beat Pakistan by 211 runs in the first Test.

De Villiers, who also made an unbeaten 103 in South Africa's second innings 3-275 declared, matched England wicketkeeper Jack Russell's Test record of 11 dismissals in a match while Steyn bagged his fifth 10-wicket haul in Tests.

The Proteas had set Pakistan an unfeasible 480 for victory following the tourists' hapless first innings 49 - their lowest ever Test score.

1st Test - New Wanderers Stadium

1 February 2013 - Day 4, Session 1

Pakistan 2nd Innings

J. Khan	9	23	2	0	39.13
R. Ali	3	9	0	0	33.33
D. Steyn	28.4	10	52	5	1.81

However, South Africa's attempt to end the match inside three days at the Wanderers in Johannesburg had been stifled by an unbroken 101-run stand between visiting skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and half-centurion Asad Shafiq on Sunday.

Asad and Misbah took their stand to 127 when they resumed battle with the South African bowlers on Monday but perished within a run of each other as Steyn had the former caught by Jacques Kallis for 56 and the latter by de Villiers for 64.

Facing a hopeless task, Pakistan's late order batsmen decided to go down swinging but Sarfraz Ahmed was bowled for just 6 by Vernon Philander and Saeed Ajmal became de Villiers' 10th victim behind the stumps as he nicked one from Morne Morkel having made 22.

Steyn and de Villiers combined again to remove Umar Gul for 23 and the Proteas paceman wrapped up victory by having Junaid Khan leg before for 9.

It gave Steyn, who took an incredible 6 for 8 in Pakistan's first innings, career-best Test figures of 11 for 60.

The second match of the three-Test series gets under way in Cape Town on February 14.

Read more: http://www.skysports.com/cricket/match_report/0,,11066_13539_1,00.html

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Evidence of a Roar revival?

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Beautiful ... Besart Berisha scored a ripper against the Mariners. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

It's the goal to warm the hearts of all Brisbane Roar fans.

Entrants must be 18 or over and hold a current full Australian driver's licence.

The competition commences on, 27 January 2013 at 8:30pm AEDT and closes on 5 April 2013 at 5:00pm AEDT and is divided into 10 weekly periods.

Each weekly period opens on Sunday at 8:30pm AEDT and closes on the following Friday at 5:00pm AEDT.

One entry per weekly entry period.

This competition is authorised under NSW Permit No. LTPS/13/00440, ACT TP13/00141, Victorian Permit No. 13/117 & SA Licence No. T13/61.

Shane Steffanuto steaming down the left flank, getting in behind, before squaring a picture perfect ball for Besart Berisha to turn home. 

Signs of the free-flowing, adventurous football that made the Roar famous in recent seasons.  

While that tempo, and consistency, has been sorely lacking so far this season, Friday night's 2-2 draw has the side back in the top-six. A dark horse, perhaps? 

In even better news for Mike Mulvey's side, the killer ball to play Steffanuto in behind the Mariners backline was played by new recruit Stefan Nijland. 

Check out the goal in the video selection at the top of the page, which also features two pearlers from the Melbourne derby.

David Williams was in electric form at Etihad Stadium and he rifled home a brilliant finish to deliver a late scare for the Victory; the third choice is the sublime Archie Thompson strike that opened the scoring in the same game.

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Fox Sports and Hyundai are giving fans the chance to win by voting in the Goal of the Week competition. 

The major prize winner will drive home the all-new Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. Delivering both street presence and dynamic performance, with 150kW of grunt and 265Nm of torque delivered by a twin-scroll turbocharged engine, you'll be the envy of all of your friends.

The runner-up prize winner will win tickets to a corporate box at the Hyundai A-League grand final including return economy flights, transfers and two nights' accommodation to enjoy with three friends.

There is also a weekly cash prize of $300 up for grabs.

Enjoy the video, good luck, and don't forget to return weekly from 830pm (EST) each Sunday for your feast of great goals and chance to win! 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Full results from IPL player auction

Cashed-up ... champions Kolkata Knight Riders bought Sachithra Senanayaka for $US625,000. Source: Manjunath Kiran / AAP

Glenn Maxwell was the million-dollar man, but how much did every else go for in the Indian Premier League player auction?

And who was overlooked altogether?

Check out the full list of players sold, and not sold.

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Chennai Super Kings
Christopher Morris,  All-Rounder,  $625,000
Dirk Nannes,  Bowler,  $600,000
Ben Laughlin,  Bowler,  $20,000
Akila Dananjaya, All-Rounder,  $20,000
Jason Holder,  Bowler,  $20,000

Delhi Daredevils
Johan Botha,  All-Rounder, $450,000
Jesse Ryder, All-Rounder, $260,000
Jeevan Mendis, All-Rounder, $50,000

Kings XI Punjab
Manpreet Gony, Bowler, $500,000
Luke Pomersbach, Batsman, $300,000

Kolkata Knight Riders
Sachithra Senanayaka, All-Rounder, $625,000
Ryan McLaren, Bowler, $50,000

Mumbai Indians
Glenn Maxwell, All-Rounder, $1,000,000
Nathan Coulter-Nile, Bowler, $450,000
Ricky Ponting, Batsman, $400,000
Philip Hughes, Batsman, $100,000
Jacob Oram, All-Rounder, $50,000

Pune Warriors India
Ajantha Mendis, Bowler, $725,000
Kane Richardson, Bowler, $700,000
Abhishek Nayar, All-Rounder, $675,000
Michael Clarke, Batsman, $400,000

Rajasthan Royals
James Faulkner, All-Rounder, $400,000
Fidel Edwards, Bowler, $210,000
Kusal Janith Perera, Wicket Keeper, $20,000

Royal Challengers Bangalore
Jaydev Unadkat, Bowler, $525,000
Rudra Pratap Singh, Bowler, $400,000
Moises Henriques, All-Rounder, $300,000
Ravi Rampaul, Bowler, $290,000
Pankaj Singh, Bowler, $150,000
Daniel Christian, All-Rounder, $100,000
Christopher Barnwell, All-Rounder, $50,000

Sunrisers Hyderabad
Thisara Perera, All-Rounder, $675,000
Darren Sammy, All-Rounder, $425,000
Sudeep Tyagi, Bowler, $100,000
Clinton McKay, Bowler, $100,000
Nathan McCullum, Bowler, $100,000
Quinton De Kock, Wicket Keeper, $20,000

UNSOLD

Doug Bollinger, Bowler, $200,000
Aaron Finch, Batsman, $200,000
John Hastings, All-Rounder, $200,000
Matthew Wade, Wicket Keeper, $200,000
Matt Prior, Wicket Keeper, $200,000
Herschelle Gibbs, Batsman, $200,000
Callum Ferguson , Batsman,  $100,000
Josh Hazlewood,  Bowler,  $100,000
James Hopes,  All-Rounder,  $100,000
Stephen O'Keefe,  Bowler,  $100,000
Adam Voges,  Batsman,  $100,000
Ravi Bopara,  All-Rounder,  $100,000
Martin Guptill,  Batsman,  $100,000
Vernon Philander,  Bowler,  $100,000
Dinesh Chandimal,  Wicket Keeper,  $100,000
Dilhara Fernando,  Bowler,  $100,000
Rangana Herath,  Bowler,  $100,000
Thilan Samaraweera,  Batsman,  $100,000
Upul Tharanga , Batsman,  $100,000
Darren Bravo,  Batsman,  $100,000
Ben Cutting,  Bowler, $100,000
Nic Maddinson,  Batsman,  $100,000
Scott Styris,  All-Rounder, $100,000
Tim Paine,  Wicket Keeper,  $100,000
Travis Birt,  Batsman,  $100,000
Trent Copeland,  Bowler,  $50,000
Rory Kleinveldt,  Bowler,  $50,000
Richard Levi,  Batsman,  $50,000
Prasanna Jayawardena,  Wicket Keeper,  $50,000
Farveez Maharoof,  All-Rounder , $50,000
Tharanga Paranavithana,  Batsman,  $50,000
Dilruwan Perera,  All-Rounder,  $50,000
Dhammika Prasad,  Bowler,  $50,000
Suraj Randiv,  Bowler,  $50,000
Chanaka Welegedara,  Bowler,  $50,000
Tino Best,  Bowler,  $50,000
Kieran Powell,  Batsman,  $50,000
Ricardo Powell,  Batsman,  $50,000
Denesh Ramdin,  Wicket Keeper,  $50,000
Jerome Taylor,  Bowler,  $50,000
Daniel Harris,  Batsman,  $50,000
Alister McDermott,  Bowler,  $50,000
Ben Rohrer , Batsman,  $50,000
Kevin O'Brien,  All-Rounder,  $50,000
Devendra Bishoo,  Bowler,  $50,000
Wasim Jaffer,  Batsman,  $50,000
Joe Burns,  Batsman,  $50,000
Paul Harris,  Bowler,  $20,000
Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Bowler,  $20,000
Dane Vilas, Wicket Keeper , $20,000
Chamara Kapugedera,  Batsman,  $20,000
Jehan Mubarak,  Batsman,  $20,000
Dilshan Munaweera, Batsman,  $20,000
Nuwan Pradeep,  Bowler,  $20,000
Seekkuge Prasanna,  All-Rounder,  $20,000
Lahiru Thirimanne,  Batsman,  $20,000
Danza Hyatt,  All-Rounder,  $20,000
Veerasammy Permaul,  Bowler,  $20,000
Andrew Birch,  Bowler,  $20,000
Jandre Coetzee,  All-Rounder,  $20,000
Henry Davids,  Batsman,  $20,000
Alistair Gray,  All-Rounder,  $20,000
Aaron Phangiso,  Bowler,  $20,000
Dwaine Pretorius,  All-Rounder, $20,000
Rilee Rossouw,  Batsman, $20,000
Stiaan Van Zyl,  All-Rounder,  $20,000
David Wiese,  All-Rounder, $20,000
Cameron Boyce,  Bowler,  $20,000
Charl Langeveldt,  Bowler,  $20,000
Sulieman Benn,  Bowler,  $20,000
Kaushal Silva,  Wicket Keeper,  $20,000

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

How Spain inspired Victory's re-birth

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Star trio ... Victory's front three are in fine form. Source: Martin Philbey / AAP

Marcos Flores, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva. Playing a game of odd one out? No, we're asking: what do these three have in common?

The answer lies in Ange Postecoglou's transformation of Melbourne Victory this year and the decision to play with a 'false No.9' – a position made fashionable during Spain's Euro 2012 triumph during the off-season.

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The two-time grand final winner has answered those who wondered if he could bring his Midas touch to Melbourne – but in excavating the Victory from the Mehmet Durakovic-Harry Kewell-Jim Magilton circus to a slick, entertaining outfit, he has shown he is not a one-trick pony, either. 

Postecoglou told foxsports.com.au that Spain's Euro 2012 success was the impetus for him to thrust the Argentine into a role we haven't really yet seen in the A-League – and revealed it was a role that he originally envisioned for Harry Kewell. 

"It was something I toyed with doing at Brisbane but didn't have the players there to be able to do it that way," Postecoglou said. 

"When I got to Victory it was something I thought I'd try – if you've got the right type of players, it can be hard to stop and has endless possibilities. 

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"Most teams play with a central striker and that limits certain things you can do. This releases that area and allows more people to come through. 

"So, watching Spain at the Euros, and the way they went about it, certainly gave us something to think about.

"That was the way I wanted to play and I had a look at the players I had available. To be honest, I had a look at the players I had here and I thought Harry Kewell would be back and it was the kind of role I thought Harry could play really well." 

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MARCOS FLORES

In building a team with a lethal front three, Postecoglou hailed Flores's ability to play to a new structure – something that has also helped Marco Rojas and Archie Thompson form part of a lightning attacking trio. 

 "It's a different role to what Marcos is used to - and he's working hard to make it effective. 

"Sometimes it means he won't get as many highlight reels as he did at Adelaide but he just wants to be successful. It's the No.1 thing he said to me – he wanted to be a champion.

"To do that you've got to fit into the structure of a team and he's growing into that role and you've seen in the last few weeks he's growing into now."

Flores has been the fulcrum in between two players enjoying stellar seasons. 

MARCO ROJAS

Marco Rojas, reportedly attracting interest from clubs like Juventus and Liverpool recently, has been a revelation, returning to the player who burst onto the scene at Wellington Phoenix.

Postecoglou wanted him for the Roar, but couldn't wait to use him at Victory once he took on the job.  

But what's changed from last year to this year? 

"I didn't have to say anything specific to him; he knew he had to work hard this year. And he has from day one. He understands his role in the team and that's probably helped him," Postecoglou explained.

"He had a tough year last year, because the whole Melbourne Victory side struggled. But I knew he was someone I could work with.

"The style of game we play would suit him, we're set up for a player like him to do what he does – he's grown from there, he's got a lot of confidence from that, he had a good pre-season with us. And now he's scoring goals, feeling good about how the team's playing and that's coming out as a result." 

ARCHIE THOMPSON 

The final member of Postecoglou's dynamic trio is the effervescent Archie Thompson. 

Holger Osieck can't get enough of the ageless striker – and Postecoglou explains why, adding this is as good an opportunity as ever for Thompson to star for the national team.  

"I think the fact the World Cup is in touching distance is a great motivator for him," he said.

"He works really hard at training. I never talk about his age because of what I see, how hard he works at training. 

"He's one of the players I really look forward to working with. We've changed his role to what he was probably used to. He's embraced it. 

"He realises he's there to work with the other strikers and I think he's heading into his best form at the right time.

"He's not just scoring goals, but he's set up a number for Marco this year and he's always threatening going forward. "

VICTORY CULTURE 

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	19	11	6	2	17	39
2	Victory	19	11	3	5	4	36
3	Western Sydney	19	11	2	6	10	35
4	Adelaide	19	10	2	7	2	32
5	Newcastle	19	6	5	8	-8	23
6	Brisbane	19	6	3	10	-1	21
7	Heart	19	6	3	10	-3	21
8	Sydney	19	6	3	10	-9	21
9	Wellington	19	5	5	9	-10	20
10	Perth	19	5	4	10	-2	19

On Sunday Shootout, Postecoglou hailed his entire squad for embracing the challenge he set for them when he arrived.

Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich admits he feared Postecoglou might have been "trying too much too soon" with players he might be "asking to go a step too far". 

But Postecoglou says that "bravery is in the execution". 

And Victory are a new entity – not just on the pitch, but off it, as a result. 

"We had to change the culture: not because what was there was wrong, but because I like to work a certain way.

"Certainly, we've expanded the football department. I brought in people who had the mindset and culture to put it in place, who I've worked with before. Obviously there's also Kevin Muscat, Steve Mautone, who've been at the club for a while as well. 

"We've built a really strong football department. It's where it all starts. It's about having a total football philosophy around it.

"We've changed things radically from what they were last year - because it wasn't successful, but also because of how I want to work.

"That's an evolving process, we'll keep trying to improve on and off the field because I think the possibility to improve are endless."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

How the Aussies fared in IPL auction

Pay day ... Kane Richardson was snapped up for a whopping $US700,000 Source: James Elsby / AAP

Glenn Maxwell is set for a big pay day thanks to the Indian Premier League auction, but he's not the only Australian in that category.

Here's a list of all the Australians who were up for auction in Chennai on Sunday, and how they fared.

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SOLD

Glenn Maxwell, $1,000,000 (Mumbai Indians)
Kane Richardson, $700,000 (Pune Warriors India)
Dirk Nannes, $600,000 (Chennai Super Kings)
Nathan Coulter-Nile, $450,000 (Mumbai Indians)
Ricky Ponting, $400,000 (Mumbai Indians)
Michael Clarke, $400,000 (Pune Warriors India)
James Faulkner, $400,000 (Rajasthan Royals)
Luke Pomersbach, $300,000 (Kings XI Punjab)
Moises Henriques, $300,000 (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Philip Hughes, $100,000 (Mumbai Indians)
Daniel Christian, $100,000 (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Clint McKay, $100,000 (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Ben Laughlin, $20,000 (Chennai Super Kings)

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UNSOLD (with reserve prices)
Doug Bollinger, $200,000
Aaron Finch, $200,000
John Hastings, $200,000
Matthew Wade, $200,000
Callum Ferguson, $100,000
Josh Hazlewood, $100,000
James Hopes, $100,000
Stephen O'Keefe, $100,000
Adam Voges, $100,000
Ben Cutting, $100,000
Nic Maddinson, $100,000
Tim Paine, $100,000
Travis Birt, $100,000
Trent copeland, $50,000
Daniel Harris, $50,000
Alister McDermott, $50,000
Ben Rohrer, $50,000
Joe Burns, $50,000
Cameron Boyce, $20,000

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Joel Griffiths gets three-match ban

Suspended ... Sydney FC's Joel Griffiths will miss three matches. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

An already-depleted Sydney FC have been hit with a fresh blow ahead of Saturday's crucial A-League match against Newcastle with striker Joel Griffiths suspended for abusing a linesman.

Griffiths was suspended on Friday evening after a review of an incident in the Sky Blues' loss to Melbourne Victory last weekend by a reconvened A-League match review panel.

The incident happened in the 89th minute of the round-18 fixture and Griffiths was charged with ''use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official''.

The 33-year-old faces a three-match suspension. He will serve a mandatory match suspension against the Jets and can appeal the additional two-game suspension.

Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata condemned Griffiths' behaviour.

''Sydney FC is disappointed with what happened late in the game last weekend against Melbourne Victory that has led to Joel Griffiths receiving a three-match suspension,'' Pignata said in a statement.

''Sydney FC prides itself on setting standards in community behaviour and we expect our players to uphold those standards and set a good example.

''Joel has shown remorse for what happened and Sydney FC will consider its options in relation to appealing the severity of the suspension.''

The A-League's match review panel usually convenes earlier in the week but it's understood they did not receive information on Griffiths' outburst until midweek.

It's not the first time Griffiths has been involved in a controversy involving match officials. He appeared to punch a linesman in the groin when playing for Newcastle in 2007, but escaped further sanction on a technicality because he received a yellow card at the time.

The suspension denies Griffiths the opportunity to play alongside brother Adam and against his other brother Ryan, in what would have been the first time three brothers had played together in an A-League fixture.

Griffiths is the fifth change forced on Sydney coach Frank Farina for the match against the fifth-placed Jets who sit two points above the Sky Blues on the A-League ladder.

Socceroo Brett Emerton (back) has been ruled out of the match with the Jets, against whom Sydney have lost twice already this season. The Sky Blues also are without Yairo Yau to international duty with Panama while defenders Fabio and Tiago Calvano are serving one-match suspensions.

Goalkeeper Ivan Necevski returns from an ankle injury to take Matthew Nash's place on the bench while Terry Antonis, Peter Triantis, Nathan Sherlock, Paul Reid and Aaron Calver have been recalled to Farina's extended 18-man squad.

Farina bemoaned his continued bad luck at training on Friday before the news of Griffiths suspension.

''It's certainly had its moments (this season). We are probably five or six down from last week but that is the reality of it - we have to live with it and just get on with it. Every day in football is a challenge,'' Farina said.

''When you are on a bit of a rollercoaster ride like we have been, it tends to stay that way. We have to continue to keep working hard, take what we have got and keep battling away.''

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Cory Jane could be out for season

Sidelined ... Cory Jane will undergo surgery on his knee injury. Source: AAP

All Blacks and Hurricanes winger Cory Jane faces a long stint on the rugby sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury.

Jane faces the prospect of missing the entire 2013 Super Rugby season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee at pre-season training in Paraparaumu on Thursday.

A Hurricanes statement said the injury will require surgery.

Mark Hammett felt for the 29-year-old, who has established himself as one of the best wingers in the world in recent years.

"It is devastating for Cory to have suffered this serious injury when he was looking so strong for this season following such a successful 2012,'' Hammett said.

It is unclear when or if Jane will be fit enough in time to add to his 41 Test caps.

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