Jets goalkeeper to serve full suspension after appeal dismissed ahead of final

The American was sensationally red-carded in stoppage-time of the Jets' crucial 3-2 win over Victory at No.2 Sportsground on March 23 for her part in a tussle that erupted between teammate Mindy Barbieri and Emily Gielnik.

On March 25, an independent match-review panel considered the incident and, in accordance with the A-Leagues Disciplinary Regulations, determined that Nino committed the offence of "assault on a player", which carried a minimum sanction of two matches.

The 24-year-old referred the matter to the independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee under clause of 11.23 (b) (ii) in the regulations that exceptional circumstances applied and a sanction outside of the Range of the Table of Offences should be imposed.

The club and Nino did not dispute a mandatory match suspension should be served but hoped for a reduction from two games to one.

The shot-stopper did not play in Newcastle's must-win, final-round clash with Adelaide in Adelaide on Good Friday but hoped to be available to play in the elimination final after the Jets finished sixth by goal difference to break a six-year finals drought.

But the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee convened on Thursday to consider Nino's case and determined that no exceptional circumstances existed and dismissed the appeal.

Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske said the club were "disappointed" with the outcome.

"We've done everything we can to try to have Izzy's suspension reduced to one match so she can play this critical game for us on Saturday week," Mattiske said.

"We understood that the argument we would have to make would be a difficult one in relation to exceptional circumstances, and we do believe there were exceptional circumstances.

"We feel we presented that case well however, unfortunately, the committee make their own determination.

"So we're disappointed that we weren't successful, however, we have great confidence in the team and in Tiahna [Robertson] as our keeper and she's demonstrated that she is a top goalkeeper in our win over Adelaide."

Should the Jets beat third-placed Western United in the elimination final, Nino will be available to play a two-legged semi-final with premiers Melbourne City.

The on-field fracas broke out after Gielnik grabbed Barbieri from behind and pulled her to her feet after the Jets player, who was about to be subbed off, bent to tie a shoelace following a free kick being awarded to the hosts in the 89th minute.

Nino came from behind to pull Gielnik away. The Matildas veteran grabbed Nino and the pair engaged in a push and shove with the latter making contact to the former's neck.

Gielnik and Barbieri were issued yellow cards while Nino, who can be seen telling referee Rebecca Durcau "she grabbed my neck", copped a red.

Nino spoke out after the incident on social media, stating she was "not a violent person".

The Jets signed Tiahna Robertson out of NPLW NSW as a replacement keeper with No.2 shot-stopper Kiara Rochaix sidelined after finger surgery.

The diminutive 21-year-old, who came through the Jets academy, and now plays for University of NSW, starred on A-League debut by making several crucial saves against Adelaide before Newcastle won 8-0 to secure a finals berth.