Central Coast have suffered a massive blow with key attacker Marco Urena suspended for three A-League matches.
The Costa Rica international received a straight red card for his challenge on Brisbane's Jay O'Shea in the 62nd minute of Wednesday night's match at Central Coast Stadium, with the Mariners ultimately falling to a 4-0 loss.
He was originally shown a yellow card but after a VAR review, referee Alex King upgraded the booking to a straight red card.
On Friday the independent match review panel of Simon Micallef, Alan Davidson and Con Diomis determined the "serious foul play" offence worthy of a three-game ban - the mandatory one-match suspension plus two additional games.
It will rule the 31-year-old out of Sunday's away trip to Melbourne Victory and away games against Brisbane on May 12 and Newcastle on May 15.
Urena has been a key part of Central Coast's superb start to the season with four goals and three assists in 16 games,
Central Coast sit third on the table, four points behind Melbourne City and goal difference behind Sydney FC , but are just one point ahead of Adelaide, three clear of Macarthur and four above Western United.
Urena has until Monday to decide whether to appeal the sanction.
