Clubs’ appeal over Women’s Premier League penalties suspended until at least mid-September

Several NT footballers could be barred from playing the sport for nearly 15 months after an appeals process was delayed until mid-September.

Several suspended Women’s Premier League football players appear set to miss the entire season after a two-club appeal was postponed until at least mid-September.

Five players, from Hellenic and Port Darwin, received a raft of penalties following a post-match fracas in the Darwin Football Stadium car park in late June last year.

Peak body Football Northern Territory found the players were guilty of serious misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute amid reports the scene was a “big mess” with multiple scuffles.

Two Hellenic players copped three and two-year bans respectively and a third was banned for 12 weeks, with four weeks suspended, from the league.

Two Port Darwin players also received a two-year ban and a 12-week ban, with four weeks suspended, respectively.

News Corp understands the players who copped eight-week bans returned to competition towards the end of last season.

The fixture for senior football has not yet been released.

However, two Hellenic players, Joanna and Paris Makrylos, charged with assault over the incident – which police have described as an “escalation” from the match – are due to face court in mid-September.

In a statement to News Corp, Football Northern Territory confirmed it would not hold an appeal hearing until court proceedings concluded.

Five Women’s Premier League players were suspended following the incident in late June, 2022. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

“The players from Hellenic and Port Darwin remain suspended from all football competitions in the Northern Territory after a disciplinary hearing last year found them guilty of serious misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute,” the peak body said.

“FNT has received legal counsel that it is in the best interests of all parties to allow the legal

proceedings to conclude before proceeding with any FNT appeal procedures.”

The peak body said it did not want to prejudice criminal proceedings.

“Our clear intent was to have this matter resolved before the new season starts, however, we

have received comprehensive legal advice that it is best that we wait,” it said.

A Hellenic spokesman said the club respected the decision.

“Whilst we are looking forward to putting our side of the story forward we agree with the process and to not interfere with the more important criminal proceedings,” the spokesman said.

Port Darwin declined to comment.