Danny Hay Suspended Two Games After Heated A-League Men Semifinal Exit

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Auckland FC assistant coach Danny Hay has been slapped with a two-match suspension after receiving a straight red card in the closing minutes of a heated A-League Men semifinal loss to Melbourne Victory.

The incident occurred following Auckland’s 2-0 second-leg defeat at a sold-out Go Media Stadium on Saturday night, which saw the expansion side fall 2-1 on aggregate, ending their dream of reaching the grand final in their inaugural season.

Controversy erupted in the 84th minute when Logan Rogerson had a potential equalizing goal waved off. Assistant referee Kearney Robinson ruled that Guillermo May’s cross had crossed the byline before reaching Rogerson, despite widespread debate over whether the ball had fully gone out of play.

“We all saw the replay. The ball’s in play,” Auckland head coach Steve Corica said post-match. “The referee, linesman, and VAR got it wrong. That goal should’ve stood — it would’ve changed the game.”

The match descended into chaos during stoppage time, with Hay shown a direct red card in the eighth minute of added time for dissent. The league confirmed on Monday that he will serve a two-game touchline suspension.

The A-League’s decision adds further sting to a heartbreaking exit for Auckland FC, who topped the regular season table and were chasing a fairytale finish in their debut campaign.