Van Egmond banned

Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond has been handed a fourth-match ban and a $2000 fine by Football Federation Australia after being found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.

The punishment comes after van Egmond stormed onto the field to berate the referee and Perth players at the completion of Newcastle's controversial 2-2 draw with the Glory in last Sunday night's Hyundai A-League fixture at Members Equity Stadium.

FFA found the Newcastle head coach breached clause 2.1 of the FFA national code of conduct but due to his contrition, unreserved apology and previous exemplary record, two of the matches and the fine are suspended until the end of the 2008/09 finals series.

Essentially, this means van Egmond will serve a two-match suspension beginning with next weekend's away clash against the Wellington Phoenix and concluding with the Jets' match against Adelaide United at EnergyAustralia Stadium on November 30.

Newcastle Jets CEO John Tsatsimas said the club respected FFA's decision and said the last weekend's action was 'out of character' for van Egmond, who was last season's A-League Coach of the Year.

"Today we have received notification from FFA that Gary van Egmond will serve a two-match suspension," Tsatsimas said. "This is a decision that our club respects and will accept with good grace."

"We understand that FFA believed that they needed to take action in this instance, but we do appreciate that Gary's past record of being a consummate professional has been taken into consideration."

"The action at the completion of last Sunday's match against Perth was certainly out of character for Gary and is not something that we as a club condone."

"However, we stand by Gary and his outstanding record, and strongly confirm that despite his emotions spilling over on this occasion that he has our complete and wholehearted support."