ACT Police are calling for witnesses to an ugly brawl in a lower-division Capital Football women's match last month, which resulted in three players being suspended by the league.
The women's state league 4.5 round one clash between between Majura FC and O'Connor Knights at Calwell playing fields on April 8 was abandoned after a fight started between players.
The melee between Majura and O'Connor saw four people suspended for 23 matches.
It is understood Knights players retaliated to a penalised tackle and a melee broke out, which saw Majura's Elizabeth Olive yellow-carded and O'Connor defender Kiara Lorkovic sent off.
The match was soon abandoned after Majura walked off the field. One player made an initial statement to police but has since stopped cooperating.
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The case was referred to the Capital Football tribunal and four people – three players and one coach – were suspended for a combined 23 games.
O'Connor teammates Kiara Lorkovic and Kaitlin O'Donovan did not contest charges of violent conduct and were banned for eight weeks each, but had three weeks suspended.
Olive accepted her charge of bringing the game into disrepute but fought violent conduct charges. The Capital Football tribunal deemed she was guilty and suspended her for three weeks.
Majura coach Zane Werchon was found guilty of entering the field of play and hit with a four-game ban. Two of those games are part of a suspended sentence.
The Knights were issued a $250 team fine and must forfeit a bond if they are found guilty of the same charges again this season.
O'Connor said they would appeal all charges, while Majura want to put the incident behind them.
It is believed the fight was filmed and police have called for any witnesses or people with footage to come forward and help with their ongoing investigation.
The teams will meet again in round eight on May 27 but it is understood a coach from at least one of the teams has told their players they don't have to feature if they feel unsafe.
Information can be provided to police anonymously. Call 131 444 and quote reference 6253448.
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Eamonn Tiernan is a sports reporter with The Canberra Times
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