‘Ban this thug for life’: Ugly ankle stamp mars NPL football match in Sydney
With the ball well away from both players Kealy attacked Percevski from behind, making direct contact to the back of his opponent’s ankle.
As Percevski went to the ground Kealy raised his hands in feigned innocence, but referee Hayden Langholz went to his pocket, issuing Kealy with a second yellow card for the match resulting in a red card send off.
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Post match the challenge was universally condemned as cowardly, with many calling for a heavy suspension and some even suggesting police charges for assault.
“Rash, Reckless and uncalled for, the NPL is tough, but that crossed the line,” one observer
commented of the shocking incident.
“He’s attempted to break someone’s ankle, I’d be giving the evidence to police,” added another.
“Ban this thug for life. It was intentional and premeditated.”
Kealy has only recently returned to Australia after playing for more than a decade in England, most recently with Havant & Waterlooville FC in the seventh level of English football.
The 27-year-old will now face the Football NSW judiciary with a suspension seemingly inevitable.
Despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men, NWS Spirit FC won the match 1-0.
