Senior Labor figures back Fremantle MP Josh Wilson after five-match ban for punching soccer opponent in face

Senior Labor figures have backed Fremantle MP Josh Wilson after he was hit with a massive ban for punching his opponent in the face in an amateur soccer game last month. The West Australian reported on Thursday the Assistant Climate Change Minister had been issued a red card and given a five-match sanction for striking a rival player during an over-45s clash in May. Mr Wilson — and his Labor colleagues — have attempted to downplay the incident that he later apologised for, but an analysis of the Football West database shows it is among the longest sanctions across any senior West Australian soccer league this year. A referee report obtained by The West stated Mr Wilson — who was playing for Fremantle City Football Club — violently struck his University of WA-Nedlands opponent away from the ball in the divison one masters league game. “In the 23rd minute the reported player turned around and punched an opponent in the face with his fist using excessive force whilst not challenging for the ball,” the match official said in his report. “I showed the reported player a red card and sent him from the field of play for violent conduct. I was approximately 20 metres from the incident with an unobstructed view.” Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman stood by Mr Wilson and said he did the right thing by apologising to the player involved. “Josh loves playing soccer . . . I’m not going to be a commentator on community sport, other than to say I think Josh did the right thing in apologising, and he’s been very open about that,” Mr Gorman said. WA Premier Roger Cook said on Thursday Mr Wilson’s actions did not say anything about his character. “It’s not acceptable for anyone to exhibit that behaviour, and that’s the reason why Josh Wilson has received a sanction in relation to that,” Mr Cook said. “He’s a public figure and a leader in the community, and there’s that extra level of standard that I think people expect from their behaviour. “I wasn’t there, and I don’t know the circumstances that led to it, but obviously Josh has now been sanctioned, I think he’s got a five match ban, and he’ll reflect on that, I’m sure.” Mr Wilson is one of just seven Masters League players to be suspended over the past four years. Of those, five received five-game bans. The database lists 129 suspensions across all Football West adult leagues since early 2022, covering the State and National Premier leagues and several amateur or masters competitions. Of those, 30 suspensions involved penalties of five games or more. Only a handful of higher sanctions have been given out so far this year — a one-year ban and two six-week bans. It comes in stark contrast to Mr Wilson’s claims on Wednesday it was a common penalty handed down to players. “It’s a very standard suspension. There are lots of suspensions like that in the FW league,” he said. Mr Wilson also appeared to laughed off further questioning by reporters, joking he was not sure “how much I really want to go into details of my weekend sporting activities”. The MP changed his tune on Thursday, telling The West Australian he seriously regretted the incident and was sorry for his conduct. “I apologised to the UWA players who came back to Freo’s club rooms for a beer after the game and asked them to pass on my apology to their teammate,” he said. “My response was wrong and that’s why the red card and suspension are appropriate. “Having played hundreds of games of football it’s the first time I’ve received a red card and of course I am subject to the rules of the game and disciplinary processes like everyone who plays football. The West Australian understands the University of WA-Nedlands player was streaming towards goal, when he and Mr Wilson got tangled up – near the edge of the penalty box. It’s then that Mr Wilson is alleged to have punched his opponent to the side of his face, getting sent off.