Hard-nosed Melbourne Victory skipper Kevin Muscat has copped a three-week ban after being the first A-League player to appear at a disciplinary hearing in Sydney on Monday night.

The former Socceroo defender was suspended for two matches after being found guilty of violent conduct and will serve an extra week after receiving a mandatory one-match ban for accumulating four yellow cards.

He will miss the Victory's next three games against Perth, Adelaide and Queensland, and will only be available to return to the competition for the final three rounds. His first game back will be Melbourne's round 19 clash with Newcastle.

Independent arbitrator Tony O'Reilly - a sports law specialist - handed down the ban after a two-hour closed hearing with Muscat and his legal and club representatives at Football Federation Australia headquarters.

The 32-year-old was charged over an incident involving Sasho Petrovski - where Muscat dragged his studs down the back of the Sydney striker's leg - in the 69th minute of the temper-filled clash with Sydney FC at Aussie Stadium on December 3, which Melbourne lost 2-1.

Muscat, who has earned a reputation as one of the toughest defenders in international football over the past decade, cut an unhappy figure as he left FFA headquarters without comment.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP