Perth Glory banned over cap breaches

Sydney: Perth Glory have been banned from the A-League finals and fined Aus$269,000 (US$207,000) after being found guilty of salary cap breaches over three seasons, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said Friday.

The Perth club deliberately failed to disclose payments and benefits to at least six players, FFA said, adding that they had exceeded the Aus$2.55 million salary cap by approximately Aus$400,000.

Perth are currently second in the 10-team A-League standings behind Melbourne Victory, however their final position at the end of the season will be adjusted to seventh overall.

In that scenario defending champions Brisbane Roar, currently seventh, would make the top-six finals in Glory`s place.

FFA said the club had deliberately not disclosed payments outside of the standard player contracts, such as payments of player agents` fees, a third party sponsorship, a pre-payment to a player, and travel and accommodation benefits.

Perth Glory have seven business days under FFA regulations to lodge an appeal to the governing body`s independent disciplinary committee.