Dual-code footballer Sheridan Gallagher has been issued with a show cause notice for flipping the bird after she was sent off in an A-League Women match.
Elsewhere, Brisbane star Momo Hayashi will have to front the disciplinary and ethics committee over an interaction with a referee that drew a straight red card.
Newcastle Jets striker Gallagher received her marching orders just 27 minutes into the Jets' loss to Melbourne City at AAMI Park on April 11, after receiving two yellow cards for separate fouls.
She received a standard one-match ban for her indirect red card, ruling her out if she plays on next season. However, she has now been asked to explain why she stuck up her middle finger as she walked off.
"When leaving the field of play, Gallagher made a gesture, which was subsequently shown on live TV broadcast and various social media platforms," Football Australia said in a statement.
"In accordance with Football Australia's national code of conduct and ethics, Gallagher has been issued with a show cause notice in relation to alleged breaches of the code."
Gallagher has until 5pm next Wednesday to respond to the show cause notice.
It finishes a roller-coaster return season for Gallagher, a Newcastle Knights NRLW star and former Young Matildas captain who walked away from the sport in 2023.
While she scored six goals, Gallagher also notched nine yellow cards, including two indirect red cards.
Hayashi was sent off in the 60th minute of Brisbane's 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory on Saturday, seemingly for making contact with the referee.
The Japanese midfielder was charged with "unsporting conduct towards a match official", which normally draws a four-match ban.
"The minimum sanction for the offence is a four-match suspension, being the mandatory match suspension plus three additional matches," FA said in a statement.
"However, as the MRP determined that Hayashi committed a category 2 offence, the matter will be referred directly to the disciplinary and ethics committee for hearing and determination on whether the offence is sufficiently proven to warrant the imposition of an additional sanction, in addition to the mandatory match suspension, which must always be served."
Roar coach Alex Smith had indicated the club would contest the red card.
"What I've been told, it was contact with the referee," he said.
"I haven't seen it, but I'd trust someone like Momo with my children, and she says it wasn't much.
"I'm fairly confident it'll get overturned on appeal just because of the player it is."
