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Ben Sigmund battles with Victory's Carlo Hernandez - Source: Photosport -
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Wellington defender Ben Sigmund has been handed a three match suspension following an off the ball incident in the Phoenix's A-League match against Melbourne on Friday.
Sigmund was charged with assaulting the Victory's Adrian Leijer when not challenging for the ball in the 36th minute of the drawn match in Wellington.
Television replays had shown Sigmund appearing to punch Leijer after a Victory corner, even before the ball had been crossed.
The A-League's match review panel handed down the suspension on Monday, adding a match to the two game minimum sanction for the offence.
Sigmund and the Phoenix have until 2pm NZT to accept the proposed sanction or refer the matter to a hearing by Football Federation Australia's disciplinary committee.
Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata said the club will just have to push on.
He says it will test the squad's depth but John McKain is coming back from injury so hopefully he will be ready to face Sydney FC.
