Western Sydney captain Marcelo will play with a suspended ban hanging over his head after escaping a lengthy punishment for placing Adelaide teenager Nestory Irankunda in a headlock.
The Brazilian defender will be free to line up for the Wanderers against Wellington Phoenix in the Isuzu UTE A-League next week after Football Australia hit him with a backdated two-game ban.
Marcelo was dismissed in last month’s heated 3-2 loss to the Reds after Irankunda sparked a fracas by shoving Wanderers midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof.
Marcelo, 35, was originally charged with “assault on a player” by FA but had his charge downgraded.
It will be a boost for Wanderers boss Marko Rudan to have his captain back on deck for their finals tilt after passionately backing his skipper’s decision to stand up for Nieuwenhof.
Marcelo’s suspension has been backdated to include last week’s meeting with Macarthur, meaning he will only miss Saturday’s game with Melbourne Victory before returning to the fold.
The Wanderers skipper will have to tread carefully, however, with a suspended two-game ban set to be triggered if he is sent off between now and the end of 2023.
